Home / Crime and Justice / Court Overturns Acquittal: Tarun Tejpal Found Guilty
Court Overturns Acquittal: Tarun Tejpal Found Guilty
6 Aug
Summary
- Bombay HC's Goa bench convicted Tarun Tejpal in 2013 rape case.
- The verdict overturned his prior acquittal by a Goa trial court.
- The incident allegedly occurred in a hotel elevator in 2013.
In a significant reversal, the Bombay high court's Goa bench convicted former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal on Thursday in a 2013 rape case. This ruling overturns the acquittal he had received from a Goa trial court.
The alleged incident took place nearly 13 years ago during the ThinkFest event in Goa. Tejpal was accused of sexually assaulting a junior colleague inside a hotel elevator. The High Court had reserved its judgment after hearing arguments from both sides.
The Goa government had appealed Tejpal's acquittal, which was granted by a sessions court in May 2021. The prosecution argued that the trial court erred by applying preconceived notions about survivor behavior. They contended that Tejpal's post-incident emails contained admissions of an "apology for his lapse of judgment."
Conversely, the defense argued that the emails were misinterpreted and did not constitute an admission of a consensual encounter. They also questioned the complainant's credibility, citing her conduct and communications. The High Court's conviction now necessitates a hearing on the quantum of punishment.
