Tarun Tejpal, Tehelka founder, convicted for raping employee at 2013 work event

The Bombay High Court overturned the acquittal of Tehelka magazine founder Tarun Tejpal and convicted him of rape in the 2013 case. The Goa government had appealed against Tejpal's acquittal.Tehelka magazine founder Tarun TejpalThe Goa bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursday convicted Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 rape case, setting aside the 2021 judgment of the Goa trial court that had acquitted him. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced at 2.30 pm. The case dates back to November 2013, when a Tehelka employee accused Tejpal of raping her in the elevator of a Goa resort during the magazine's annual Thinkfest event.A division bench of justices Dr Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar held Tejpal guilty of rape and sexual harassment under Sections 376(2)(f) and 376(2)(k), along with Sections 354A and 354B of the IPC. "We have set aside the judgment and order and convicted Tejpal," the High Court said.While Section 376(2)(f) criminalises rape by a person in a position of trust or authority, Section 354A criminalises sexual harassment. Section 354B criminalises assault or use of criminal force against a woman with the intent to disrobe her.TARUN TEJPAL SEEKS LENIENCYThe closely watched verdict comes after days of protracted hearings in one of India's most high-profile trials involving a prominent journalist. Tejpal was present in the court when the order was pronounced. Addressing the judges, Tejpal said that he was now 62 years old and pleaded for leniency."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," Tejpal said. Senior advocate Aabad Ponda, representing Tejpal, requested the court to pause the order for eight weeks so that an appeal could be filed before the Supreme Court."I have a remedy to file an appeal. Please stay this order for eight weeks so that I can approach the Supreme Court against this conviction. Please also consider that I have already spent six months in jail," Ponda argued.Opposing Tejpal's plea for leniency, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state, said the journalist was a "father figure" for the survivor and a precedent must be set."Despite the victim being a girl of his daughter's age, he committed an offence. He was a father figure and should have not indulged into this. A precedent must be set," Mehta said."The victim refused but he kept advancing on two subsequent days... This court must give out a clear message to the society that when a girl says no, it means no," he further said.- EndsPublished On: Aug 6, 2026 10:56 IST