Panaji: Former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal surrendered before a Goa court Monday to serve his 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence in a 2013 sexual assault case.
On August 25, the Supreme Court had directed Tejpal to surrender within three weeks to undergo his 10-year prison sentence following his conviction by the Bombay High Court. A SC bench of Justice Alok Aradhe had dismissed Tejpal’s plea seeking exemption from surrendering.
Tejpal surrendered before the Additional Sessions Court at Mapusa, after which he was sent to Central Jail at Colvale in North Goa to begin serving his sentence.
The apex court had listed his appeal challenging his conviction and sentence for hearing September 22, subject to the filing of the surrender certificate.
“In case the surrender certificate is filed on or before September 21, 2026, the registry shall list the criminal appeal for hearing September 22, 2026 before the regular court,” it had said.
On August 6, the Bombay HC convicted Tejpal of raping a junior colleague inside a hotel elevator in November 2013 during an event organised by the magazine in Goa and sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for 10 years, overturning his acquittal by the trial court five years ago.
Tejpal was convicted under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 376(2)(f) (rape committed by a person in a position of trust or authority), 354(a) (sexual harassment) and 354(b) (assault or use of criminal force with intent to disrobe). Under Section 376(2)(f), the maximum punishment is life imprisonment.
The HC had imposed a fine of more than Rs 10 lakh, with the court directing that the amount be paid to the victim.
Tejpal was arrested in November 2013 in the case and remained in custody for several weeks before being granted bail.
The trial was conducted before the Additional Sessions Court at Mapusa, which, in May 2021, acquitted Tejpal of all charges, holding that the prosecution had failed to establish the case beyond reasonable doubt.
The Goa government challenged the acquittal before the Bombay High Court, contending that the trial court had erred in its appreciation of the evidence.
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After a prolonged hearing, the High Court August 6 allowed the state’s appeal and set aside the acquittal.
While reversing the trial court verdict, the High Court placed considerable reliance on the testimony of the woman and other evidence, including CCTV footage and emails exchanged after the alleged incidents.
The High Court also criticised the trial court’s approach towards the conduct of the complainant, saying that a survivor of sexual assault cannot be expected to behave according to stereotypes of an “ideal victim”.
The High Court rejected Tejpal’s defence that the allegations were part of an attempt at extortion or character assassination and held that his position of authority over the woman was relevant to the case.
On August 20, Tejpal moved the top court challenging the August 6 order of the High Court against his conviction in the case.
Earlier, the Goa government moved the top court seeking an enhanced sentence for the former editor of Tehelka, contending that the case warranted imprisonment for life.
In its petition filed in the apex court, the Goa government has contended that the sentence imposed by the high court is grossly disproportionate to the nature and gravity of the offences committed by Tejpal.
