Panaji: Tarun Tejpal, the founder-editor of Tehelka magazine, has been acquitted of rape charges by a court in Goa.
He was accused of forcing himself on the woman, against her wishes, inside an elevator of the Grand Hyatt, Bambolim, Goa on November 7 and 8, 2013, during the newsmagazine’s official event – the THiNK 13 festival.
Tarun Tejpal’s daughter Cara Tejpal read out a statement on her father’s behalf, which said he was “falsely accused” of sexual assault.
Special Public Prosecutor Francisco Tavora assisted by advocate Cyndiana D’Silva represented the Goa Police while Advocates Rajeev Gomes and Amir Khan represented Tejpal.
The Tehelka allegations broke out when a series of emails in which the woman complained to her seniors at Tehelka and their response were leaked.
Tejpal stepped down as Tehelka Editor soon after, saying he was “recusing” himself for six months. He was arrested on in November 2013. He has been out on bail since May 2014.
He was tried for committing offences punishable under IPC Sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 354 (sexual harassment), 354A(1)(I)(II)(demand for sexual favours), 354B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 376 (2)(f) (person in a position of authority over women, committing rape) and 376(2)(k) (rape by a person in a position of control).
Comments are closed.