PANAJI: Superintendent of Police (SP) Sunita Sawant also the Investigating Officer (IO) in the 2013 Tarun Tejpal sexual assault case, said the High Court’s verdict is a significant judgment that reflects a survivor standing up for her rights and sends an important message to women working across all sectors.
Speaking to the media outside the High Court of Bombay at Goa on Thursday, SP Sawant said, “This is a judgment where the girl has stood up for her rights and against the wrong done to her. In that light, this judgment is very, very important for women working in all sectors-private, government, or any other field.”
SP Sawant hailed the successful outcome to the coordinated efforts of the investigating team, prosecution and legal counsel. “Everything has been presented well. The investigation, the prosecution, as well as our legal counsels, presented the case effectively before the court,” SP Sawant said.
When asked about her feelings after pursuing the case for nearly 13 years, SP Sawant said, “We are police officers. We are professionals. There are no sentiments attached.”
She added that arguments on the quantum of sentence had already been heard from both the defence and the State prosecution, and the matter had been adjourned until 2:30 p.m. for pronouncement of the sentence.
Earlier in the day, High Court 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, allowing the Goa Government's appeal and convicting him. Tejpal has since moved the Supreme Court challenging the High Court's conviction and has sought a one-week stay on the order.
