‘They wanted to silence him’: Tarun Tejpal’s daughter claims he was targeted over Tehelka
Mumbai: Days after the Bombay High Court sentenced former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal to 10 years in prison in a 2013 rape case, his daughter Cara Tejpal has alleged that her father was targeted because of his investigative journalism and that the case was used to “silence” him.
Cara Tejpal, daughter of former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, has spoken out following his conviction by the Bombay High Court, alleging that her father was targeted because of Tehelka’s investigative journalism.
In a statement on Saturday, Cara said she had examined the evidence in the case for 13 years and remained convinced of her father’s innocence. She also said she was prepared to face criticism for publicly supporting him.
Cara linked the case to what she described as controversies surrounding Tehelka’s reports on corruption and alleged wrongdoing by people in power.
‘Bid to silence him’
Cara alleged that Tejpal had become a target because of his work and said the rape allegation was used as a way to silence him.
She said she had initially been afraid to speak publicly because of the intense media coverage surrounding the case and the criticism directed at those who supported her father.
Cara also urged people to examine the evidence and court proceedings rather than relying only on headlines or public commentary.
Bombay High Court overturns acquittal
The remarks came days after the Bombay High Court at Goa overturned Tejpal’s 2022 acquittal by a trial court and convicted him in the 2013 rape case.
The court sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹5 lakh under the relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code. Additional sentences and fines were also imposed under provisions relating to sexual harassment, criminal force, wrongful restraint and confinement.
The case relates to allegations made by a junior colleague who said Tejpal raped her during the ThinkFest conference at a five-star hotel in Goa in November 2013.
Court cites flaws in earlier verdict
The High Court found serious flaws in the trial court's assessment of the evidence, describing its approach as unreasonable and perverse.
The bench said the earlier evaluation of the complainant's testimony was affected by preconceived notions, including expectations about how an “ideal” victim should resist or respond emotionally.
The High Court's verdict overturned the earlier acquittal and resulted in Tejpal's conviction and imprisonment.
Tejpal resigned from his position at Tehelka following the allegations in 2013.
At the time, he sent an email to staff referring to the incident as a “shameful lapse of judgement” and apologised, although he did not specifically refer to the rape allegations in those words.
Cara's latest statement represents her personal account and allegations about the broader circumstances surrounding the case. The High Court, meanwhile, has convicted Tejpal based on its assessment of the evidence presented in the case.