An Indian court has convicted journalist Tarun Tejpal of raping a former colleague, overturning a 2021 trial court verdict that had acquitted him. The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court found Tejpal guilty on Thursday under sections of Indian law pertaining to rape and sexual harassment, according to legal website LiveLaw.
Tejpal, who has consistently denied the accusations, faces sentencing later on Thursday. He retains the right to appeal the verdict in a higher court.
The accuser, whose identity is protected under Indian law, alleged that Tejpal assaulted her in an elevator at a Tehelka event in Goa in November 2013. Tejpal was arrested and spent seven months in jail before being granted bail by the Supreme Court. In 2021, a trial court in Goa dismissed all charges against him, leading the Goa government to appeal the decision.
During the appeal, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the high court to impose the maximum sentence, stating, "This court must give a clear message to society that when a girl says no, it means no. A no means a no," LiveLaw reported.
Tejpal, 62, addressed the court, saying, "I believe I am a political victim. I am a father of two daughters. I have a wife. All we can say is we will go up and appeal. My lawyer wants me to request you to be lenient," as quoted by legal website Bar and Bench.