10-year term not enough? Goa govt moves SC against Tarun Tejpal sentence

Panaji: The Goa government has moved the Supreme Court seeking an enhancement of the 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence imposed on former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal in a rape case.

The state has challenged the sentence awarded by the Bombay High Court, which convicted Tejpal on August 6 and sentenced him to 10 years in prison for raping a former colleague.

The High Court verdict came in an appeal filed by the Goa government against Tejpal’s acquittal by the Goa Sessions Court in 2021.

What is the case against Tejpal?

The case relates to allegations by a former female journalist who accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her inside a hotel lift on November 7 and 8, 2013.

Tejpal was arrested on November 30, 2013, in connection with the allegations. On September 29, 2017, he was formally charged under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including rape, sexual harassment and wrongful confinement. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Trial court acquittal

In May 2021, the Goa Sessions Court acquitted Tejpal of all charges, ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The trial court cited, among other factors, the absence of medical evidence and messages exchanged between the complainant and Tejpal. It concluded that the messages did not support the claim that the complainant had been traumatised by the alleged assault.

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The Goa government subsequently challenged the acquittal before the Bombay High Court.

High Court overturns acquittal

On August 6, the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court overturned the 2021 acquittal, convicted Tejpal and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.

The Goa government has now approached the Supreme Court seeking a higher sentence.

(PTI)