The Bombay High Court today convicted former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 sexual assault case involving a former junior colleague. A division bench of Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar of the Bombay High Court’s Goa bench convicted Tejpal under provisions of the Indian Penal Code related to rape by a person in a position of trust or authority, sexual harassment, and assault with intent to disrobe a woman.

 

The court said it would pronounce the sentence later in the afternoon. During the hearing, Tejpal sought leniency describing himself as a political victim and the father of two daughters. Appearing for the Goa government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the court to award the maximum punishment, saying it would send a strong message that no means no. Following the verdict, Tejpal said he would challenge the High Court’s order in the Supreme Court.

 

The case stems from allegations made by a former junior colleague, who accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her inside a hotel elevator during the ThinkFest event in Goa in November 2013. After he was acquitted by the trial court in 2021, the Goa government challenged the verdict in HC.