The Bombay High Court's Goa bench has convicted former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 Goa sexual assault case, overturning his 2021 acquittal by a sessions court. After the conviction, Tejpal personally appealed to the court for leniency, saying, "I believe I am a victim." Outside court, he also alleged that the case was driven by political vendetta and claimed he was being targeted because of Tehelka's investigative reporting. The Goa government had challenged the 2021 acquittal, arguing that the trial court failed to properly appreciate key evidence, including an apology email. The High Court is now hearing arguments on the quantum of sentence.

Founder and former editor-in-chief of Tehelka, Tarun Tejpal, has been booked for raping a female colleague, on Thursday. However, Tejpal pleaded not guilty to rape charge and denied all the charges against him. The case will come for hearing on November 21. Tejpal was accused of outraging the modesty of a female journalist during an event in Goa in 2013