Journalist Tarun Tejpal acquitted in rape case by Goa court

Tarun Tejpal. File pic

A sessions court in Goa on Friday acquitted former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal of all charges in the sexual assault case against him. Tejpal was accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague inside the elevator of a luxury hotel in Goa in 2013.

"He has been acquitted from all charges. Order not given yet. It will be uploaded later," Tejpal's defence counsel said.

In a statement, Tejpal said: "The past seven and a half years have been traumatic for my family as we have dealt with the catastrophic fallout of these false allegations on every aspect of our personal professional and public lives. We have felt the boot of the state, but through it all we have cooperated fully with the Goa Police and the legal system, through hundreds of hours of court proceedings".

"We have unwaveringly followed every mandate of due procedure and abided by every principle of law laid in the Constitution. We have also endeavoured to uphold every norm of decency expected in a case like this," Tejpal said in a written statement while thanking the court for its "rigorous, impartial and fair trial".

According to the special public prosecutor Francisco Tavora, the verdict was a "serious setback" and the state government will be preparing to file an appeal against the order in the High Court.

Speaking to reporters after the verdict, Tavora said claimed that the prosecution team was seriously aggrieved by the order, which he said would be challenged in the Bombay High Court.

"Accused has been acquitted of all charges. We are waiting for a copy of the judgement, but the state will be preparing for an appeal against the judgement. That's all that I can say at this point," Tavora told reporters.

"Initially, the accused wanted to be discharged from the case, so he went to the SC and got a stay order. That is how the trial was stopped for a good two years. It was resumed in August 2019. Since September 2020, it has been going on on a day-to-day basis," Tavora said.

The additional district court was to pronounce the verdict on April 27 but judge Kshama Joshi had adjourned the verdict to May 12. On May 12, it was further adjourned to May 19.

The court had earlier said the adjournment was due to lack of staff due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Also Read: Tarun Tejpal's rape trial delayed as complainant tests COVID positive

The Goa police had registered an FIR against Tejpal in November 2013 following which he was arrested.

Tejpal has been out on bail since May 2014. The Goa crime branch had filed a charge sheet against Tejpal.

He faced trial under IPC sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 354 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage modesty), 354-A (sexual harassment), 354-B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 376(2)(f) (person in position of authority over women, committing rape) and 376(2)k) (rape by person in position of control).

He had earlier moved the Bombay High Court, seeking a stay on the framing of charges against him, but his petition was dismissed.

(With inputs from agency)