Tarun Tejpal Moves Supreme Court Against 10-Year Jail Term in 2013 Rape Case

Former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Court’s August 6 verdict, which convicted him in the 2013 rape case involving a junior colleague and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. Tejpal filed his appeal on Thursday, just two days after the Goa government approached the Supreme Court seeking enhancement of his 10-year rigorous imprisonment to life imprisonment in the 2013 sexual assault case. The Goa government has argued that the punishment awarded by the High Court is inadequate considering the nature and seriousness of the offences. Bombay High Court overturned 2021 trial court verdict On August 6, the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court convicted journalist Tarun Tejpal for raping a junior colleague in 2013. The High Court overturned the 2021 judgment of the Goa trial court, describing it as untenable, flawed and contrary to the evidence available on record. A bench comprising Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar also criticised the trial court for approaching the case with the assumption that a complainant in a sexual assault case must behave like a “perfect victim” and respond in a particular manner. The High Court sentenced Tejpal to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and also imposed a fine of Rs 10.21 lakh, which is to be paid to the victim. Goa government seeks life imprisonment Tejpal has described himself as a political victim. While challenging the High Court verdict, the Goa government has made it clear that it is not seeking to reopen the findings that led to his conviction. The state government has stated that its challenge is restricted to the quantum of punishment and the direction concerning the manner in which the sentences are to run. It has relied on the findings and circumstances already recorded by the High Court to argue that the sentence imposed is clearly insufficient. Complaint was filed in November 2013 On November 18, 2013, the victim complained to the then managing editor of Tehelka about incidents that allegedly took place on November 7 and 8 that year. The following day, Tejpal sent the victim a formal and unconditional apology in connection with what he described as a “lapse of judgment.” Tejpal was arrested in the case on November 30, 2013. In February 2014, the Goa Police Crime Branch filed a chargesheet against him. However, the Supreme Court granted him bail in July 2014. The matter has now reached the Supreme Court with Tejpal challenging his conviction and 10-year sentence, while the Goa government is seeking a substantial enhancement of the punishment to life imprisonment.