10 years in jail for Tarun Tejpal inadequate, consider life term: Goa to SC

The Goa government has petitioned the Supreme Court to increase the 10-year prison term handed to former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal, convicted for the 2013 rape of a female journalist. The state argues that the sentence is "manifestly inadequate" and far too lenient for the severity of his crimes. In their appeal, the government contends that the High Court imposed the minimum punishment of 10 years for each of the two aggravated rape convictions, with the sentences running concurrently.

They urge the Supreme Court to instead sentence Tejpal to life imprisonment or another equivalent term, with the sentences not running concurrently. The state highlights that Tejpal abused his authority and trust to commit the crimes, which took place during an event he organized. The High Court's reasoning, the state claims, was flawed as it considered the passage of time and that both victim and offender had moved on with their lives.

The state maintains that such reasoning is "untenable" and that the severity of the crime and trauma inflicted on the victim should warrant a more fitting sentence. They also point out that the High Court's finding that Tejpal was in a position of dominance and control over the victim further underscores the gravity of the offense and the need for a sentence commensurate with these aggravating circumstances.