Bombay high court overturns Tejpal acquittal, awards 10-year jail term
HC Tears Through Trial Court’s Judgement
In a landmark decision, the Bombay high court has overturned the acquittal of former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal and sentenced him to a 10-year rigorous prison term for the rape of a colleague in a Goa hotel elevator. The court upheld the survivor's truthful statements and dismissed the defense's arguments, finding their conclusions "untenable" and "perversely contrary to evidence on record."
The bench criticized the trial court for allowing intrusive examination of the victim's past, misapplying legal principles, and improperly weighing evidence. Tejpal, 62, responded by claiming he was a "political victim" and sought leniency for his age, family responsibilities, and clean record. The court emphasized the severe impact of workplace sexual assault on a woman's career and the culture of victim blaming.
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