THE Bombay High Court on Thursday convicted former ‘Tehelka’ Editor Tarun Tejpal of raping a colleague in 2013, setting aside his acquittal by a Goa sessions court five years ago, and sentenced him to ten years’ rigorous imprisonment. Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar of the HC’s Goa bench initially said Tejpal shall surrender within two weeks, but following a request from his lawyers, the court extended the time to four weeks. The court, while imposing the minimum punishment, said the incident occurred 13 years ago, and Tejpal has since then not committed any other offence.

 

“Both parties (victim and Tejpal) may have moved on in life now,” it observed. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,21,000 on Tejpal, which would be paid to the victim. It said, “The victim having suffered sexual assault would be handed over the entire fine amount.” Tejpal pleaded for leniency, claiming he was a “political victim” and the father of two daughters. Solicitor General demanded maximum punishment.