The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court on Tuesday convicted former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal to 10 years imprisonment for raping a former colleague, overturning his 2021 acquittal on a decade‑old accusation.
The judge applied sections 376(2)(f) and other provisions concerning sexual harassment, and added a fine of over one million rupees (about $10,500).
Tejpal, who has denied the allegations, said he would file an appeal in the Supreme Court and accused the case of being a political vendetta by the BJP‑led Goa government.
The allegations first made headlines in 2013 when the victim claimed she was assaulted in a lift during Tehelka’s high‑profile international conference in Goa that drew celebrities like Robert De Niro.
Earlier, a Supreme Court sitting granted Tejpal bail after an arrest that lasted seven months. In 2021 a sessions court dismissed all charges, but the index court lifted the acquittal on appeal.
The judge’s 527‑page order, which included remarks about the victim’s demeanor, triggered criticism over judicial impartiality in rape cases.
Tehelka, co‑founded by Tejpal in 2000, was known for sting operations exposing corruption, but it also faced scrutiny for its investigative methods.
Legal experts suggest the verdict could influence future sexual‑violence prosecutions in India, while supporters argue it underscores the importance of accountability for powerful figures.
