The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday overturned the acquittal of former Tehelka Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 rape case filed by a junior colleague, convicting him under provisions of the Indian Penal Code relating to rape and sexual assault. The Court is scheduled to pronounce the quantum of sentence at 2:30 p.m.

A Division Bench of Justice Dr. Neela Gokhale and Justice Amit Jamsandekar allowed the appeal filed by the State of Goa against the 2021 judgment of the Mapusa Sessions Court, which had acquitted Tejpal on the ground of benefit of doubt.

The High Court set aside the trial court’s judgment and convicted Tejpal under Sections 376(2)(f), 376(2)(k), 354A and 354B of the Indian Penal Code. Following the conviction, the Bench heard submissions from both sides on the appropriate sentence.

Appearing for Tejpal, Senior Advocate Aabad Ponda urged the Court to take a lenient view while awarding punishment, citing the passage of over thirteen years since the incident, Tejpal’s age, and the absence of any subsequent criminal allegations against him. Tejpal also personally addressed the Court, seeking leniency and indicating that he intended to challenge the conviction before a higher court. Mr Ponda further requested that Tejpal not be taken into custody immediately after sentencing, submitting that he had consistently complied with all bail conditions, had never absconded, and intended to exercise his statutory right to challenge the conviction before the Supreme Court.

Representing the State, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought the maximum punishment, contending that the case involved a grave breach of trust and that a strong message needed to be sent on the issue of sexual consent and workplace misconduct.

The Bench decided to defer the sentencing hearing until 2:30 p.m. and, in the meantime, declined to take Tejpal into custody, noting that he continued to remain on bail.

The matter has been listed for 2:30 p.m. for pronouncement of the quantum of sentence.