Bombay High Court convicts former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal in 2013 sexual assault case

Published Aug 6, 05:54 AM UTC

On August 6, 2026, the Bombay High Court's Goa Bench convicted former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal on charges of rape and sexual assault, overturning a 2021 sessions court acquittal. The case stems from allegations by a former junior colleague that Tejpal sexually assaulted her in a hotel elevator during the ThinkFest event in Goa in November 2013. Tejpal was convicted under IPC sections 376(2)(f) (rape by a person in a position of trust), 354(a) (sexual harassment), and 354(b) (using criminal force to disrobe). The court will pronounce the sentence later. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Goa government, sought maximum punishment to send a message that 'no means no,' while Tejpal's counsel sought leniency, with Tejpal claiming he is a 'political victim' and father of two daughters.