PANAJI
The three-day final arguments by the defence in the Goa government's appeal against the acquittal of former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal concluded before the High Court of Bombay at Goa on Saturday.
Wrapping up his submissions with Tejpal himself attending the trial, Senior Advocate Aabad Ponda argued that repeated contradictions between the complainant's oral evidence and contemporaneous emails, WhatsApp messages and other documentary records meant her testimony did not inspire confidence.
Among the documents cited was a WhatsApp message in which the complainant had written that she intended to “unleash a reign of sexual terror on unsuspecting thinkers (Thinkfest participants).” The defence argued that although she later described the message as a joke, it formed part of the contemporaneous record that the court should consider while assessing her credibility.
Ponda also questioned the complainant's explanation that she continued at the event after the alleged assault because she feared losing her job. Referring to digital records, he submitted that she had already been exploring alternative employment opportunities, including corresponding with another publication, receiving a higher-paying job opportunity linked to Satyamev Jayate, and securing a fellowship to write a book on violence against women, which carried a monthly grant of Rs 1 lakh received soon after the alleged incident.
Over the previous two days, the defence argued that the complainant's account of being confined inside a moving lift was inconsistent, questioned her conduct after the alleged incidents, and claimed that crucial first-floor CCTV footage had never been produced.
The Bench has scheduled the next hearing on July 30 with the Goa government to submit its rejoinder arguments.
