HC Reverses Ex Tehelka Editor Tejpal Acquittal In Rape Case

The Bombay High Court on Thursday set aside the acquittal of former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 $exual assault case involving a junior colleague and convicted him of rape and other offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

A Division Bench of Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar allowed the appeal filed by the Goa government against the May 2021 judgment of a sessions court in Mapusa, which had acquitted Tejpal of all charges.

Pronouncing the verdict, the Justice Gokhale-led Bench said that it had convicted Tejpal under Sections 376(2)(f) and 376(2)(k) (rape), 354A ($exual harassment) and 354B (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to disrobe) of the IPC.

The High Court is scheduled to hear the matter on the question of sentence later in the day.

The case stems from allegations made by a junior colleague that Tejpal $exually assaulted her inside an elevator of a luxury hotel in Goa during an event in November 2013.

The Goa Police registered an FIR against Tejpal for offences including rape, following which he was arrested in November 2013 after a local court rejected his anticipatory bail plea.

He was granted regular bail by the Supreme Court in July 2014. In May 2021, Additional Sessions Judge Kshama Joshi acquitted Tejpal, holding that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and citing alleged lapses in the investigation, including failure to produce certain evidence such as CCTV footage.

The prosecution challenged the acquittal before the Bombay High Court, contending that the trial court had erred in appreciating the evidence on record.

During the hearing before the High Court, the Goa Police argued that the Sessions Court had focussed on the survivor's post-incident conduct and background instead of assessing the evidence against the accused.

It also submitted that the trial court ignored material evidence, including an apology email allegedly sent by Tejpal after the complainant raised the allegations with the then managing editor of the publication.

During the hearing on Thursday after the conviction was pronounced, Tejpal's counsel sought suspension of the conviction for eight weeks to enable him to approach the Supreme Court, submitting that the verdict had reversed an acquittal and highlighting that there was no other criminal case against him.

Addressing the Justice Neela Gokhale-led Bench, Tejpal pleaded for leniency, stating that he believed himself to be a victim and requested the Bombay High Court to take a compassionate view while deciding the sentence.

On the other hand, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed the plea for leniency, contending that the case required a strong message against $exual violence and arguing that "when a girl says no, it means no."

The High Court adjourned the matter till 2.30 p.m. for hearing on the sentence. The detailed judgment is awaited.