Indian Journalist Tarun Tejpal Sentenced To 10 Years In Jail After Bombay High Court Overturns 2021 Acquittal
Guwahati, August 7: The Bombay High Court on Thursday, August 6, 2026, convicted former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal in a 2013 sexual assault case and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
A Goa Division Bench comprising Justice Neela Gokhale and Justice Amit Jamsandekar set aside the 2021 trial court judgment that had acquitted Tejpal. The High Court found that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court criticised the approach adopted by the trial court, saying it had relied on the notion that a survivor of sexual assault must behave in a particular manner to be considered credible. The High Court rejected this approach and said a complainant should not be judged against a stereotypical idea of an “ideal” or “perfect” victim.
In its 81-page judgment, the court also expressed concern over the manner in which the complainant’s personal life was brought into the proceedings. The Bench said it was surprised that the trial court had allowed the defence to question her in a manner that amounted to harassment and humiliation during cross-examination.
The case dates back to November 2013, when a former junior colleague of Tejpal accused him of sexually assaulting her during Tehelka’s international conference in Goa.
During the sentencing hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Goa government, sought the maximum sentence. He argued that Tejpal had shown no remorse and urged the court to send a clear message that “no means no”.
Senior advocate Abad Ponda, representing Tejpal, sought leniency. He told the court that Tejpal was 62 years old, had no previous criminal cases and had complied with the conditions imposed on him while on bail. He also said Tejpal had deposited his passport with the authorities and had not travelled abroad despite being acquitted by the trial court.
Ponda requested a stay on the conviction and eight weeks to surrender, saying Tejpal intended to challenge the High Court verdict before the Supreme Court. Tejpal also addressed the court and requested leniency, referring to his family and his intention to pursue an appeal.
The High Court sentenced Tejpal to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 376(2)(k) of the Indian Penal Code and imposed a fine of ₹5 lakh. Under Section 376(2)(f), the court also awarded a 10-year rigorous imprisonment term with a fine of ₹5 lakh. The court imposed additional sentences under Sections 354, 354A and 354B, with the sentences to run concurrently.
The court also directed that the period of custody already undergone by Tejpal be taken into account. The Bench noted that he had spent six months in custody previously and that there were no complaints of misconduct or misbehaviour against him while in prison.
The court initially directed Tejpal to surrender within two weeks. Following a request from his legal team, the period was extended to four weeks.
Tejpal has denied the allegations and has maintained that he will challenge the High Court verdict before the Supreme Court. The case is now expected to move to the next stage of legal proceedings.
