More than a decade after allegations of sexual assault surfaced against former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal, the Bombay High Court on Thursday sentenced him to ten years of rigorous imprisonment in connection with the 2013 case.
The division bench comprising Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar also imposed fines exceeding ₹10 lakh. The Court directed Tejpal to surrender before prison authorities within two weeks.
The sentence follows the High Court’s earlier decision overturning the trial court’s acquittal and convicting Tejpal on charges of rape and sexual harassment under the Indian Penal Code.
While pronouncing the punishment, the bench noted the prosecution’s argument that the accused had shown no remorse and that the alleged acts were repeated despite the victim’s refusal. At the same time, the judges observed that the incident had taken place thirteen years ago and that no subsequent allegations of misconduct had emerged against Tejpal.
For the offence under Section 376(2)(f), which deals with rape committed by a person in a position of trust or authority, the Court imposed ten years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of ₹5 lakh. An identical sentence and fine were awarded under Section 376(2)(k), which concerns rape by a person exercising control or dominance over a woman.
In addition, Tejpal received one year’s rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000 under Section 354, one year’s imprisonment under Section 354A, and three years’ rigorous imprisonment with a ₹10,000 fine under Section 354B. Separate monetary penalties were imposed for wrongful restraint and wrongful confinement.
All the sentences will run concurrently, meaning Tejpal will serve a total prison term of ten years.
The case stems from allegations made in 2013 by a junior colleague, who accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her inside an elevator at a luxury hotel in Goa during an event. Following the complaint, Goa Police registered a case that included charges of rape. Tejpal was arrested in November 2013 and remained in custody for several months before securing bail in July 2014.
The trial began in 2017 and culminated in an acquittal in May 2021. The trial court had pointed to investigative lapses and the prosecution’s failure to present crucial evidence, including CCTV footage. The State of Goa subsequently challenged that verdict before the High Court, which reversed the acquittal and found Tejpal guilty.
During the sentencing hearing, the State argued that the case involved an abuse of authority and called for the harshest punishment permitted by law. It contended that Tejpal occupied a position of influence over the complainant and that the repeated nature of the assault warranted a strong deterrent sentence.
The prosecution further argued that the punishment should send an unequivocal message that consent cannot be presumed and that a woman’s refusal must be respected in all circumstances.
On the other hand, Tejpal’s legal team sought leniency, highlighting that he had already spent around six months in custody after his arrest and had no prior criminal record. The defence also requested time to approach the Supreme Court, pointing out that the reversal of an acquittal carries a statutory right of appeal.
Addressing the bench personally, Tejpal said that he had consistently maintained his position throughout the proceedings over the past thirteen years. Referring to himself as a political victim, he appealed for compassion, citing his age and family circumstances, while reiterating his intention to challenge the conviction before the Supreme Court.
