Bombay High Court Sets Aside Tarun Tejpal's Acquittal, Convicts Him In Rape Case

A Division Bench of Justice Neela Gokhale and Justice Amit Jamsandekar allowed the Goa government's appeal and convicted Tejpal under Sections 376(2)(f), 376(2)(k), 354A and 354B of the Indian Penal Code for rape and sexual harassment.

The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday set aside the Sessions Court judgment that had acquitted former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 rape case filed by a junior colleague.

High Court Reverses Acquittal

The High Court overturned the Mapusa Sessions Court's acquittal and held Tejpal guilty in the case. The court will hear him separately on the quantum of sentence. After the verdict, senior advocate Aabad Ponda, appearing for Tejpal, requested the court to take a lenient view while deciding the sentence, saying that the case dates back nearly 13 years.

Defence To Move Supreme Court

Ponda also sought a stay on the conviction for at least eight weeks so that Tejpal could file an appeal before the Supreme Court. He argued that the High Court had reversed an order of acquittal.

Tejpal was present in the courtroom when the judgment was pronounced, as directed by the bench. Addressing the court, Tejpal said, 

“I am 62, and I believe I am a victim. I have a wife, and that's not much else to say. All that I can say is we can go and appeal. Please be lenient with me. The rest of the facts are placed on record.”