Journalist Tarun Tejpal surrenders before Goa court in 2013 rape case

Journalist Tarun Tejpal surrendered before a Goa court on Monday to serve his 10-year sentence for raping and sexually harassing a junior colleague in 2013, reported PTI.

Overturning a 2021 sessions court verdict that had acquitted Tejpal, the Bombay High Court on August 6 convicted the journalist under provisions of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to rape by a person holding trust or authority, rape by a person who is in a position of control or dominance over a woman, sexual harassment and criminal force against a woman with an intent to disrobe her.

On August 20, the journalist moved the Supreme Court, challenging the High Court’s decision.

A bench of Justice Alok Aradhe on August 25 directed Tejpal to surrender to the authorities within two weeks. The court agreed to list Tejpal’s appeal, provided he submits his surrender certificate by September 22.

On Monday, he surrendered before the Additional Sessions Court at Mapusa, after which he was sent to Central Jail at Colvale in North Goa, reported PTI.

Tejpal, the former editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine, was accused of raping a junior colleague in an elevator in 2013. He had been arrested in November 2013 and was in jail for seven months before being granted bail by the Supreme Court in July 2014.

A sessions court in Goa’s Mapusa had acquitted...

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