The Bombay High Court has sentenced former Tehelka editor‑in‑chief Tarun Tejpal to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment after convicting him in the 2013 sexual assault case involving a junior colleague.
The verdict came after the High Court overturned Tejpal’s 2021 acquittal by a Goa trial court, holding him guilty of assaulting the woman in a hotel elevator during the Tehelka ThinkFest event in Goa.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the state, urged the court to send a strong message: “When a girl says no, it means no.” He argued that Tejpal, being a father‑figure to the victim, had betrayed trust and deserved exemplary punishment.
Tejpal, 62, pleaded for leniency citing his age and family circumstances, saying he was a “victim of politics” and would appeal to the Supreme Court. Outside the courtroom, he maintained his innocence, claiming, “This is a wrong case against me. We will fight back.”
The case, which shook India’s media circles, stemmed from allegations that Tejpal sexually assaulted a junior colleague in November 2013. His conviction marks a decisive moment in India’s judicial stand on workplace sexual harassment and consent.
