Bombay High Court sentences Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment

MUMBAI: The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court sentenced Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal to 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting his former colleague. The High Court came to the verdict annulling the Goa trial court's acquittal of Tarun Tejpal in 2021. The court also directed Tarun to surrender before the police within two weeks.

The order was passed by a division bench comprising Justices Dr Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar. The Goa government had approached the Bombay High Court against the trial court's verdict.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the state government. Senior advocate Abad Ponda appeared for Tejpal. The colleague alleged that Tejpal sexually assaulted her inside a hotel lift during the 'Thinkfest' event held in Goa in November 2013. The investigation into the case was completed, and the trial began in 2017. In 2021, the court found Tarun Tejpal not guilty. However, the state government approached the High Court with an appeal against this verdict.