Tarun Tejpal Appeals Supreme Court Decision in 2013 Rape Case

Tarun Tejpal, the former editor of Tehelka, has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging his conviction by the Bombay High Court in a sexual assault case that dates back to 2013. The appeal comes after the High Court upheld a ten-year prison sentence for Tejpal, which he believes to be unjust.

On August 6, the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court overturned a previous trial court decision that had acquitted Tejpal of all charges. The case, which involves allegations of sexual assault against a junior colleague in a hotel elevator in Goa, saw Tejpal initially arrested by the Goa Police in November 2013. He was subsequently released on bail in July 2014.

The proceedings resumed in 2017, leading to a trial that extended over four years. In May 2021, the trial court found Tejpal not guilty, citing significant lapses by the investigating officer and a lack of vital evidence, including CCTV footage. However, the State of Goa contested this ruling, prompting the High Court to reconsider the case.

In its recent ruling, the High Court not only reversed the earlier acquittal but also sentenced Tejpal to ten years in prison and imposed a fine exceeding ₹10 lakh. Following this verdict, the State has also approached the Supreme Court, requesting an enhancement of Tejpal's sentence to life imprisonment, but clarified that it is not seeking to dispute the conviction itself.

Tejpal's legal team filed the appeal on Thursday, indicating the urgency of the matter as he must surrender by the first week of September. The appeal will likely be listed for an urgent hearing in the Supreme Court soon. As this legal battle continues, both parties are awaiting the court's response to the appeals lodged.