Former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal convicted in 2013 rape case

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Aug 6, 2026: Former Tehelka magazine editor Tarun Tejpal has been convicted in the 2013 rape case involving a junior colleague, after the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court overturned his acquittal.

A division bench comprising Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar on Thursday set aside the 2021 sessions court judgment that had cleared Tejpal of all charges. Allowing an appeal filed by the Goa government, the High Court found him guilty of rape and sexual harassment.

According to legal news portal Live Law, the court convicted Tejpal under Sections 376(2)(f) and 376(2)(k), along with Sections 354A and 354B of the Indian Penal Code.

Tejpal was present in court when the verdict was delivered. The bench had earlier directed him to remain present for the pronouncement of the judgment. The court will hear arguments separately on the quantum of sentence.

Following the conviction, Tejpal appealed for leniency, telling the court that he is now 62 years old. "I am 62, and I believe I am a victim. I have a wife, and that’s not much else to say. All that I can say is we can go and appeal. Please be lenient with me," he said.

His counsel, Senior Advocate Aabad Ponda, also requested the court to consider the passage of nearly 13 years since the alleged offence while deciding the sentence. He further sought an eight-week stay on the conviction order to allow Tejpal to file an appeal before the Supreme Court, arguing that the High Court’s decision had reversed an earlier acquittal.