Bombay HC convicts Tejpal in 2013 rape case; daughter alleges targeting over journalism

The Bombay High Court on Thursday convicted former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, 62, of raping a junior colleague inside a hotel elevator in Goa in 2013. The verdict came on an appeal filed by the Goa government against his earlier acquittal by a sessions court.

Following the conviction, Tejpal’s daughter, Cara Tejpal, issued a statement on Saturday linking the case to her father’s investigative journalism. She claimed that the rape allegation was used as a means to “silence” him because of the magazine’s reports on corruption and alleged wrongdoing by those in power.

“Tarun Tejpal was more than a thorn in the side of the BJP government, and what better way to silence him than to portray him as the most reviled of all sinners—a rapist,” the statement said.

Ms. Tejpal said she had examined the evidence in the case for 13 years and was convinced of her father’s innocence. She acknowledged that she had once been “terrified of speaking the truth” but now felt compelled to speak despite facing criticism.

“I’m not that 23-year-old anymore. I’m 36, and I couldn’t care less about being called a ‘rape apologist’ or ‘child of a rapist’ or whatever vile slur is used against me,” she said.

The High Court, while convicting Tejpal, termed the trial court’s 2021 acquittal “perverse,” noting that it had fallen for the notion that a sexual assault complainant must be a “perfect victim” and conduct herself in a certain way to appear credible.

Tejpal was arrested in November 2013 after a junior colleague alleged that he sexually assaulted her inside an elevator during a Tehelka event in Goa. The sessions court at Mapusa acquitted him in May 2021, after which the Goa government approached the High Court.

The High Court ordered Tejpal to surrender within two weeks, later extending the period to four weeks on a request from his lawyers. Tejpal has maintained that he is a political victim and has said he will approach the Supreme Court to challenge the conviction.

Ms. Tejpal urged people to read the “actual facts of the case” rather than rely on headlines and what she described as uninformed public discourse. She also alleged that a strong public narrative had discouraged people from questioning the allegations.

The case has drawn significant attention over the years, with debates around media ethics, investigative journalism, and the legal handling of sexual assault allegations. The Supreme Court’s decision on Tejpal’s appeal will be closely watched.