Former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal, who was sentenced to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment in the 2013 rape case, on Thursday claimed he was a "political victim" who had been targeted for the past 13 years because of his journalistic work. He also alleged that his career had been destroyed and the publication of his books had been stopped.

While speaking to PTI after the verdict, Tejpal said he would challenge the Bombay High Court's judgment in the Supreme Court and expressed confidence that the truth would eventually prevail.