PANAJI: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has set aside the Trial Court's acquittal of former Tehelka Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 sexual assault case involving his junior colleague at a hotel in Goa. Allowing the State Government's appeal, the High Court convicted Tejpal and will hear arguments on the sentence separately.
A Division Bench of Justice Dr. Neela Gokhale and Justice Amit Jamsandekar on Thursday held Tejpal guilty of offences under Sections 376(2)(f), 376(2)(k), 354A and 354B of the Indian Penal Code, overturning the acquittal granted by the Trial Court.
Following the conviction, Senior Advocate Aabad Ponda, appearing for Tejpal, sought leniency in sentencing, arguing that the offence dates back nearly 13 years. He also requested the court to stay the conviction for eight weeks to enable Tejpal to challenge the verdict before the Supreme Court, noting that this was a reversal of an acquittal and that no other FIRs or criminal cases had been registered against his client.
Addressing the Bench, Tejpal said he would challenge the verdict, citing his age of 62 years and family responsibilities. “I have nothing much to say,” he told the court.
Appearing for the State, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed any plea for leniency and sought the maximum punishment. “Despite the victim being a girl of his daughter's age, he committed the offence. He was a father figure and should not have indulged in this. A precedent must be set. The victim refused, but he kept advancing on two subsequent days. This court must send a clear message to society that when a girl says no, it means no. A no means a no,” Mehta submitted.
Meanwhile, Tejpal has approached the Supreme Court challenging the High Court's conviction order and has sought a one-week stay on its operation.
The High Court is scheduled to hear arguments on the quantum of sentence at 2:30 p.m. today.
