PANAJI : Advocate General Devidas Pangam said the Trial Court had "completely erred" in acquitting former Tehelka Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal despite evidence proving the 2013 sexual assault case beyond reasonable doubt. He said the acquittal was based on assumptions about the survivor's character, while the High Court's judgment was founded on justice and the evidence on record.
Speaking to the media on Thursday after the High Court sentenced Tejpal to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, Pangam said the State was fully prepared to defend the conviction before the Supreme Court. "They are bound to challenge the verdict. We expected it and we are fully prepared. Our team of lawyers will defend the conviction at any cost and ensure it is upheld," Pangam said.
Pangam clarified that although two weeks for surrender was initially announced in open court, the judge later informed both sides in chambers that the accused had been granted four weeks to surrender.
He also said the State would first study the detailed judgment before deciding whether to challenge any part of the order. "We have not yet decided whether to challenge any part of the order. We will study the judgment first and then take a call," he said.
Welcoming the sentence, Pangam added that Tejpal had been convicted under Sections 376(2)(f) and 376(2)(g) of the Indian Penal Code , each carrying a 10-year sentence, with the court directing that both sentences run concurrently.
Earlier in the day, High Court sentenced Tejpal to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment after convicting him in the 2013 sexual assault case involving his junior colleague. The Court also imposed a Rs 5 lakh fine, directing that the entire amount be deposited in favour of the survivor.
