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Former ‘Tehelka’ Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal Convicted in Rape Case
Major Mumbai High Court Ruling: Tarun Tejpal convicted in rape case; Sessions Court’s acquittal overturned; sentencing to be announced today.
Mumbai: Journalist and former ‘Tehelka’ Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal was convicted in a rape case on Thursday (August 6, 2026). The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court set aside the Sessions Court’s 2021 verdict that had acquitted him. Tejpal’s sentence is scheduled to be announced today at 2:30 PM. Tejpal, who was present in court during the hearing, has requested leniency in sentencing.
Incident from 2013
Tarun Tejpal is accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague inside the elevator of a hotel in Goa. Regarding the incident, which took place on November 7 and 8, 2013, the Goa Sessions Court had acquitted Tejpal of all charges in 2021. The Goa government had filed an appeal against this verdict in the Bombay High Court. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta represented the government.
Why was the Sessions Court’s verdict overturned?
The Sessions Court had questioned the woman's conduct, deeming her case weak. The court had stated, "The complainant's behavior does not resemble the typical conduct of a victim who has been sexually assaulted over two consecutive nights." The court had also cited the woman's past relationships, photographs taken after the incident, and WhatsApp chats.
In the High Court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that during cross-examination, the victim herself was put on trial. Attempts were made to cast aspersions on her character based on her drinking and smoking habits and personal views. However, the victim stood firm in her testimony. A Goa Police investigating officer stated that the punishment for the rape case could range from a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment. The sentence is set to be announced today at 2:30 PM.
Major Mumbai High Court Ruling: Tarun Tejpal convicted in rape case; Sessions Court’s acquittal overturned; sentencing to be announced today.
Mumbai: Journalist and former ‘Tehelka’ Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal was convicted in a rape case on Thursday (August 6, 2026). The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court set aside the Sessions Court’s 2021 verdict that had acquitted him. Tejpal’s sentence is scheduled to be announced today at 2:30 PM. Tejpal, who was present in court during the hearing, has requested leniency in sentencing.
Incident from 2013
Tarun Tejpal is accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague inside the elevator of a hotel in Goa. Regarding the incident, which took place on November 7 and 8, 2013, the Goa Sessions Court had acquitted Tejpal of all charges in 2021. The Goa government had filed an appeal against this verdict in the Bombay High Court. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta represented the government.
Why was the Sessions Court’s verdict overturned?
The Sessions Court had questioned the woman's conduct, deeming her case weak. The court had stated, "The complainant's behavior does not resemble the typical conduct of a victim who has been sexually assaulted over two consecutive nights." The court had also cited the woman's past relationships, photographs taken after the incident, and WhatsApp chats.
In the High Court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that during cross-examination, the victim herself was put on trial. Attempts were made to cast aspersions on her character based on her drinking and smoking habits and personal views. However, the victim stood firm in her testimony. A Goa Police investigating officer stated that the punishment for the rape case could range from a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment. The sentence is set to be announced today at 2:30 PM.
Mumbai: Journalist and former ‘Tehelka’ Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal was convicted in a rape case on Thursday (August 6, 2026). The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court set aside the Sessions Court’s 2021 verdict that had acquitted him. Tejpal’s sentence is scheduled to be announced today at 2:30 PM. Tejpal, who was present in court during the hearing, has requested leniency in sentencing.
Incident from 2013
Tarun Tejpal is accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague inside the elevator of a hotel in Goa. Regarding the incident, which took place on November 7 and 8, 2013, the Goa Sessions Court had acquitted Tejpal of all charges in 2021. The Goa government had filed an appeal against this verdict in the Bombay High Court. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta represented the government.
Why was the Sessions Court’s verdict overturned?
The Sessions Court had questioned the woman's conduct, deeming her case weak. The court had stated, "The complainant's behavior does not resemble the typical conduct of a victim who has been sexually assaulted over two consecutive nights." The court had also cited the woman's past relationships, photographs taken after the incident, and WhatsApp chats.
In the High Court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that during cross-examination, the victim herself was put on trial. Attempts were made to cast aspersions on her character based on her drinking and smoking habits and personal views. However, the victim stood firm in her testimony. A Goa Police investigating officer stated that the punishment for the rape case could range from a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment. The sentence is set to be announced today at 2:30 PM.
