06 August,2026 06:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal. FILE PIC
The Bombay High Court's (HC) conviction of former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal on Thursday marked a significant development in a nearly 13-year legal battle that began with allegations of sexual assault by a junior colleague in Goa in November 2013 and culminated with the court overturning his 2021 acquittal by a trial court.
November 2013: A junior colleague accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her inside an elevator at a luxury hotel in Bambolim, Goa, where Tehelka was hosting its annual ThinkFest event.
The complainant sent an email detailing the incident to then Tehelka managing editor Shoma Chaudhury. The email later became a key part of the investigation.
November 20, 2013: Tejpal stepped down as Tehelka's editor-in-chief for six months, describing the incident in an email as an "untoward incident" and "a bad lapse of judgment".
November 22, 2013: Goa Police registered an FIR against Tejpal after taking cognisance of media reports and the contents of the complaint. He was booked under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including charges of rape and sexual assault under laws amended after the 2012 Nirbhaya case.
November 30, 2013: Tejpal surrendered before the Goa Crime Branch after the Supreme Court refused to grant him anticipatory bail. He was arrested and remanded in judicial custody.
February 2014: Goa Police filed a charge sheet running into more than 2,800 pages, based on witness statements, CCTV footage, electronic records and forensic evidence.
July 1, 2014: The Supreme Court granted Tejpal regular bail after nearly seven months in custody. It directed him to surrender his passport and imposed conditions on his release.
September 2017: The trial began before the additional sessions court at Mapusa in Goa after charges were framed. Tejpal pleaded not guilty.
2019-2021: During the trial, the prosecution examined 71 witnesses, including the complainant, police officials, hotel employees, and forensic experts. The defence examined four witnesses and relied on CCTV footage, text messages, and electronic evidence.
May 21, 2021: The Mapusa additional sessions court acquitted Tejpal of all charges, holding that the prosecution had failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. The 527-page judgment cited inconsistencies in the prosecution's case and shortcomings in the investigation.
The verdict drew criticism from women's rights groups and legal experts over observations made about the complainant's conduct.
May 2021: The Goa government challenged Tejpal's acquittal before the Bombay High Court, arguing that the trial court had "misappreciated" evidence, relied on stereotypes about the behaviour of sexual assault survivors and ignored established legal principles.
The high court admitted the appeal and issued notice to Tejpal.
2021-2026: The Bombay High Court heard detailed arguments from the Goa government and Tejpal's legal team over several hearings.
The state argued that the acquittal was based on "perverse findings", while the defence maintained that the trial court had correctly evaluated the evidence.
July 30, 2026: A division bench of Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar reserved its verdict after completing the hearing of the state's appeal.
August 6, 2026: The Bombay High Court set aside the 2021 acquittal and convicted Tejpal of rape and other offences linked to the 2013 incident. The court sentenced him to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment. Tejpal said he would challenge the conviction before the Supreme Court.
(With PTI inputs)
