Tarun Tejpal to move Supreme court after Bombay HC convicts him in 2013 sexual assault case

Former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal said on Thursday he would challenge the Bombay High Court's decision convicting him in a 2013 sexual assault case, calling the verdict "wrong" and confirming he would move the Supreme Court.

The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court earlier on Thursday overturned Tejpal's 2021 acquittal by a Goa sessions court and convicted him of raping a former colleague during the ThinkFest event in Goa in November 2013.

"We will be appealing against this order. We feel the order is wrong. We will be moving to the Supreme Court against the order," Tejpal told reporters outside the court.

A division bench of Justice Neela Gokhale and Justice Amit Jamsandekar allowed the Goa government's appeal against the 2021 judgment of the Mapusa sessions court, which had acquitted Tejpal of all charges, citing lack of corroborative evidence and inconsistencies in the prosecution's case.

The High Court reserved its order on sentencing, adjourning the matter until 2.30pm for arguments on the quantum of punishment. During the hearing, Tejpal sought leniency, describing himself as a "political victim" and the father of two daughters. His lawyers also sought suspension of the conviction for eight weeks to allow him to approach the Supreme Court, noting there was no other criminal case against him. 

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Goa government, opposed the plea for leniency, arguing the case required a strong message against sexual violence. 

Tejpal was convicted under Sections 376(2)(f), 376(2)(k), 354(a) and 354(b) of the Indian Penal Code. The rape charge carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment. 

The case stems from allegations by a former junior colleague that Tejpal sexually assaulted her inside a hotel lift during the ThinkFest event in Goa in November 2013. Tejpal was arrested on 30 November 2013. After his acquittal in 2021, the Goa government appealed the verdict before the Bombay High Court.