Goa Government Moves Supreme Court Seeking Life Sentence For Tarun Tejpal In Rape Case
The Goa government has approached the Supreme Court seeking enhancement of the sentence imposed on former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 rape case, asking that he be sentenced to life imprisonment instead of the 10-year rigorous imprisonment awarded by the Bombay High Court.
The State clarified it challenges only the quantum of punishment and does not seek to reopen or question the findings of conviction recorded by the High Court.
The Bombay High Court's Goa bench, comprising Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar, had on August 6 overturned Tejpal's acquittal by the trial court and convicted him in the 2013 case. The court subsequently sentenced him to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment.
The High Court had noted that the incident took place 13 years ago and that there was no report of any subsequent criminal misconduct by Tejpal. It consequently declined the Goa government's request for the maximum punishment of life imprisonment and imposed the minimum sentence prescribed for the rape conviction.
The case arose from allegations that Tejpal sexually assaulted a junior colleague inside an elevator at a luxury hotel in Goa during an event organised by Tehelka in November 2013. The Goa Sessions Court had acquitted him in 2021, following which the State challenged the acquittal before the Bombay High Court.
The High Court convicted Tejpal under provisions of the Indian Penal Code relating to rape, sexual harassment and assault with intent to disrobe. The rape provision under which he was convicted carried a minimum punishment of 10 years and permitted a sentence extending to life imprisonment.