Goa seeks life term for Tarun Tejpal in rape case: India Today accesses plea in SC

The Goa government has moved the Supreme Court seeking a life sentence for Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal, challenging the 10-year rigorous imprisonment awarded to him by the Bombay High Court in a 2013 rape case, according to its plea accessed by India Today TV.The case dates back to 2013, when a junior Tehelka colleague accused Tejpal of raping her inside a hotel elevator during the magazine's event in Goa. A trial court acquitted him in 2021, but the Bombay High Court overturned the verdict on August 6, convicted the 62-year-old journalist of rape and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.In its plea in the Supreme Court, the Goa government has argued that the 10-year sentence is "inadequate and disproportionate" to the gravity of the offences and has sought enhancement of the punishment to imprisonment for life. According to the plea, Tejpal had abused his position as an employer, mentor and person of trust.The plea contends that the Bombay High Court failed to consider these aggravating circumstances cumulatively while deciding the sentence. The state has also opposed the decision to run the sentences for the two distinct incidents concurrently. The Goa government has challenged the benefit given to the passage of 13 years since the case was registered, arguing that delay in justice cannot become a mitigating factor for the offender.After the Bombay High Court convicted him, Tejpal claimed that he was a political victim and would approach the Supreme Court to challenge his conviction. Tejpal was charged under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including rape and offences relating to assault or use of criminal force against a woman. A trial court acquitted Tejpal in 2021. The prosecution challenged the acquittal before the Bombay High Court, which overturned the verdict on August 6, convicted him and sentenced him to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment.The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court also directed the 62-year-old journalist to surrender before Goa Police within four weeks.While overturning the acquittal, the Bombay High Court described the trial court judgment as "perverse" and criticised its approach towards the complainant. It rejected the notion that a survivor must behave like a "perfect victim" to be considered credible.During the sentencing hearing, Tejpal, who was present in court, sought leniency, citing his age and family circumstances. "I am 62, and I believe I am a victim. I have a wife, and that's not much else to say. All that I can say is we can go and appeal. Please be lenient with me," he told the court.His lawyer, senior advocate Aabad Ponda, sought an eight-week pause to enable Tejpal to approach the Supreme Court. He also pointed out that the case was 13 years old and that Tejpal had no other case or FIR against him.The Supreme Court will now consider the Goa government's challenge to Tejpal's 10-year sentence and its plea seeking life imprisonment.- EndsPublished By: Karishma Saurabh KalitaPublished On: Aug 19, 2026 08:38 IST