Tarun Tejpal moves SC against 10-year sentence in 2013 sexual assault case

New Delhi, Aug 20 (PTI) Journalist Tarun Tejpal on Thursday moved the Supreme Court against his conviction in a 2013 sexual assault case.

The appeal against the August 6 order of the Bombay High Court has been filed through advocate Aditya Samaddar.

Earlier, the Goa government moved the top court seeking enhanced sentence for the former editor of Tehelka, contending that the case warrants imprisonment for life.

The high court convicted Tejpal of rape and sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for 10 years, overturning his acquittal by the trial court five years ago.

Tejpal was convicted of raping a junior colleague inside a hotel elevator in 2013 during an event organised by the magazine in Goa. Earlier, the 62-year-old journalist had claimed that he was a political victim.

In a petition filed in the apex court, the Goa government has contended that the sentence imposed by the high court is grossly disproportionate to the nature and gravity of the offences committed by Tejpal.

"The present case warrants enhancement of sentence to imprisonment for life, or such enhanced sentence as this court may deem appropriate, and the sentences ought not to have been directed to run concurrently," the plea said.

The challenge is confined to the quantum of sentence and the direction for concurrent operation of sentences, it said.

In its verdict, the high court had termed the trial court's 2021 order "perverse", noting that it fell for the notion that a sexual assault complainant must be a "perfect victim" and should conduct herself in a certain way so as to appear credible.

The high court had asked Tejpal to surrender within two weeks but later extended the period to four weeks on a request from his lawyers.

In its 81-page judgement, the high court had expressed strong disapproval of the way the defence put the victim in the dock and focused on her personal life, and said it found it surprising that the trial court "remained silent and allowed the defence to harass and humiliate her during the cross-examination".

Tejpal was convicted under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 376(2)(f) (rape committed by a person in a position of trust or authority), 354(a) (sexual harassment) and 354(b) (assault or use of criminal force with intent to disrobe). Under Section 376(2)(f), the maximum punishment is life imprisonment.

While Tejpal had pleaded for leniency, claiming that he was a "political victim" and the father of two daughters, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Goa government, had demanded the maximum punishment to send a strong message that "no means no".

Speaking to reporters after the verdict, Tejpal had said he would challenge the judgement in the Supreme Court, and also expressed confidence that the truth would eventually come out. PTI