Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal sentenced to 10 year imprisonment after conviction in 2013 rape case
PTC News Desk: The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court sentenced Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal to 10 years in jail after being convicted for the rape of his junior colleague in 2013.
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.
High Court reverses trial court verdict
A division bench comprising Justices Dr. Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar held Tejpal guilty of rape and sexual harassment under multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The court convicted him under Sections 376(2)(f) and 376(2)(k), which deal with rape committed by a person in a position of trust or authority, along with Sections 354A and 354B related to sexual harassment and assault with the intention of disrobing a woman.
While delivering the verdict, the bench stated that it had set aside the earlier acquittal and found Tejpal guilty based on the evidence before it.
Convicted in 2013 rape case
Earlier in the day, a division bench of Justices Dr Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar convicted Tarun Tejpal of rape and sexual harassment under Sections 376(2)(f), 376(2)(k), 354A and 354B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Section 376(2)(f) deals with rape committed by a person in a position of trust or authority, while Section 354A relates to sexual harassment. Section 354B covers assault or use of criminal force against a woman with the intention of disrobing her.
The court sentenced Tejpal to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh under Section 376(2)(f). He was also awarded another 10-year prison term and a fine of Rs 5 lakh under Section 376(2)(k).
For the offence under Section 354, he was sentenced to one year in jail and fined Rs 10,000. The court also awarded one year of imprisonment under Section 354A and three years under Section 354B.
Since all the sentences will run concurrently, Tejpal will serve a maximum of 10 years in prison.
- With inputs from agencies
