Bombay HC convicts Tarun Tejpal in 2013 rape case, overturns acquittal (PTI image) NEW DELHI: The Bombay high court on Thursday convicted former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 rape case filed by his former junior colleague, overturning his acquittal by a Goa trial court.The verdict came nearly 13 years after the alleged incident during the ThinkFest event in Goa, where Tejpal was accused of sexually assaulting a junior colleague inside a hotel elevator. The high court had reserved its judgment last week after hearing arguments from both sides.The Goa government had challenged Tejpal’s acquittal after a sessions court cleared him of all charges in May 2021. The appeal was heard by Justices Dr Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar of the Bombay high court’s Goa bench, which had directed Tejpal to remain present for the pronouncement of the verdict.Appearing for the Goa government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had argued that the trial court committed a serious error by evaluating the complainant’s conduct based on preconceived notions of how a survivor of sexual assault should behave.He submitted that there is no universal standard governing the reaction of a sexual assault survivor, as responses vary depending on an individual’s education, personality, social background and circumstances.Mehta also argued that the trial court placed undue emphasis on minor inconsistencies in the complainant’s statements instead of examining whether her core allegations remained consistent.Referring to an email sent by Tejpal to the complainant after the alleged incident, the Solicitor General argued that the accused had apologised for his “lapse of judgment”, expressed shame and stated that he believed the encounter had been consensual. According to the prosecution, those statements amounted to an admission that an encounter had taken place.The defence, led by senior advocate Abad Ponda, argued that the prosecution had misread the apology emails as admissions of a sexual encounter.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesPonda submitted that none of the emails contained any admission of a consensual physical or sexual encounter and that the references related only to a consensual verbal conversation of a sexual nature.The defence also questioned the complainant’s credibility, arguing that her conduct before and after the alleged incident, along with emails, WhatsApp messages and documentary evidence, contradicted the prosecution’s case.The high court’s conviction reverses the trial court’s acquittal, with sentencing to be decided after hearing arguments on the quantum of punishment.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAyush PandeyAyush Pandey is a journalist at The Times of India, covering breaking news, politics, defence, and major legal and policy developments across India and the world. His reporting focuses on elections, national security, and institutional affairs, tracking the decisions and conflicts that shape public life. He specialises in sharp explainers and in-depth feature stories that go beyond headlines to decode political shifts, defence strategy, geopolitical flashpoints, and changing public sentiment. His work combines speed, clarity, and depth for a fast-moving digital audience.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosJPSC-JSSC Protesters Hold Tiranga March In Ranchi Ahead Of Aug 10 Assembly Gherao Over Leak RowKanpur-Lucknow Expressway Toll Suspended After Road Slippage, NHAI Acts Against Contractor’It’s My Moral Call To Be Here’: Author Nilotpal Mrinal Joins Ranchi Student ProtestMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Apologises Over PM Modi Video Row, Admits Paid Content BoostingJharkhand Students Display Mark Sheets, Allege Irregularities In JPSC-JSSC Evaluation’Merit Can’t Beat Money’: Jharkhand Aspirant On Hunger Strike Demand Strong JPSC-JSSC Reforms’I’m A Farmer’s Son, I Can’t Buy Papers’: In JPSC-JSSC Exam Leak, Students Demand CBI Probe’56% Indian Vehicles Uninsured’: Supreme Court Calls For ‘Challans’, Urgent Enforcement Action’We Feel Cheated’: Jharkhand Student Protesters Voice Anger Over JPSC-JSSC Exam Row’If You Won’t Listen, Then Who Will?’: Jharkhand Student’s Msg To Hemant Soren Over JPSC-JSSC Row123Photostories10 famous foods invented inside prisonsBengal tiger vs Siberian tiger: What’s the difference?Always listening, always fixing? 5 signs you’re the ‘therapist friend’ in your groupWant to raise a confident and successful child? These 6 timeless parenting lessons from Chanakya Niti can shape their futureIndia named among the World’s 100 Best Cuisines: Here’s what makes it special5 must-have sneakers every wardrobe needs in 20265 timeless lessons from your grandparents that modern life forgot10 baby names inspired by dawn, sunset, and the skyBrain teaser optical illusion: You are among the top 1% if you stop all 25 animals hidden in the man’s face within 2 minutesWant Korean glass skin? These 5 daily habits make all the difference123Hot PicksSaurav DasDelhi rainAbhijeet DipkeRRB ALP CBT 2 answer keyTN Agriculture BudgetTASMAC OnlineAnkur WarikooUPI transactionsGold rate todayTop TrendingNagpur Rape CaseAbhijeet DipkeTasmac Liquor Online PurchaseVishakha RathodJPSC ProtestNagpur Rape CaseDelhi Wife MurderAkhilesh YadavTamil Nadu BudgetPraveen Nettaru Murder Case
NEW DELHI: The Bombay high court on Thursday convicted former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 rape case filed by his former junior colleague, overturning his acquittal by a Goa trial court.The verdict came nearly 13 years after the alleged incident during the ThinkFest event in Goa, where Tejpal was accused of sexually assaulting a junior colleague inside a hotel elevator. The high court had reserved its judgment last week after hearing arguments from both sides.The Goa government had challenged Tejpal’s acquittal after a sessions court cleared him of all charges in May 2021. The appeal was heard by Justices Dr Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar of the Bombay high court’s Goa bench, which had directed Tejpal to remain present for the pronouncement of the verdict.Appearing for the Goa government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had argued that the trial court committed a serious error by evaluating the complainant’s conduct based on preconceived notions of how a survivor of sexual assault should behave.He submitted that there is no universal standard governing the reaction of a sexual assault survivor, as responses vary depending on an individual’s education, personality, social background and circumstances.Mehta also argued that the trial court placed undue emphasis on minor inconsistencies in the complainant’s statements instead of examining whether her core allegations remained consistent.Referring to an email sent by Tejpal to the complainant after the alleged incident, the Solicitor General argued that the accused had apologised for his “lapse of judgment”, expressed shame and stated that he believed the encounter had been consensual. According to the prosecution, those statements amounted to an admission that an encounter had taken place.The defence, led by senior advocate Abad Ponda, argued that the prosecution had misread the apology emails as admissions of a sexual encounter.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
Ponda submitted that none of the emails contained any admission of a consensual physical or sexual encounter and that the references related only to a consensual verbal conversation of a sexual nature.The defence also questioned the complainant’s credibility, arguing that her conduct before and after the alleged incident, along with emails, WhatsApp messages and documentary evidence, contradicted the prosecution’s case.The high court’s conviction reverses the trial court’s acquittal, with sentencing to be decided after hearing arguments on the quantum of punishment.
