I'm 62, and I'm a victim: Tarun Tejpal seeks leniency after rape conviction

The Bombay High Court set aside a trial court judgment that had acquitted Tarun Tejpal of sexually assaulting a former colleague in a hotel elevator. Ahead of the sentencing, the journalist sought leniency from the court, saying he has two daughters and a wife.

In Short

• Bombay High Court overturned Tarun Tejpal's acquittal in 2013 sexual assault case
• Conviction on charges of rape, sexual harassment, and assault with intent to disrobe
• Tejpal claims to be a political victim and seeks leniency in sentencing

Former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal claimed he is a victim following a court ruling on Thursday that overturned his acquittal in a high-profile 2013 sexual assault case.

The Bombay High Court's Goa bench set aside a lower court's decision and convicted the 62-year-old journalist of raping a former colleague inside the elevator of a luxury hotel in Goa.

"I'm 62, and I believe I'm a political victim," Tejpal said as he urged the court for leniency ahead of sentencing in the case.

Notably, the prosecution urged the High Court to impose the maximum sentence on the Tehelka founder-editor.

"There are no facts that I can tell you now because for 13 years we have been putting facts out consistently in the courtrooms. Clearly, they don't count for that much," Tejpal added. "I am a father to two daughters, I have a wife. All I can say is we can go and appeal."

A division bench comprising Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar pronounced the verdict on an appeal filed by the State of Goa in 2022, reversing the May 21, 2021 decision by a local sessions court that had cleared him.

"We have set aside the judgment and order and convicted Tejpal. We have convicted him under sections 376(2)(f) and (k), 354A, 354B of IPC," the bench said.

The conviction falls under provisions governing rape committed by a person in a position of authority or control, as well as sexual harassment and assault with intent to disrobe.

The case dates back to November 2013, when Goa Police registered an FIR against Tejpal following allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman, who was then his junior colleague, in an elevator at a five-star resort in the state. The two were attending a work event.

Following his arrest, the Goa crime branch filed a charge sheet detailing the allegations. Tejpal was released on bail in May 2014 and subsequently stood trial on multiple criminal charges, including wrongful restraint, wrongful confinement, sexual harassment, and rape by a person in authority.

In May 2021, a sessions court acquitted Tejpal of all charges. In a 500-page order, Judge Kshama Joshi said benefit of doubt was given to the accused because there was no corroborative evidence supporting the allegations made by the complainant.

This led the Goa government to challenge the ruling in the Bombay High Court. The High Court bench heard final arguments regarding the acquittal last month before delivering Thursday's conviction.

- Ends
With inputs by Vidya