Mumbai. Former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal has suffered a major setback in the 2013 sexual assault case. The Bombay High Court has overturned the lower court’s acquittal. The High Court convicted Tejpal of rape and outraging the modesty of a woman. This case relates to the alleged sexual assault of a female colleague in 2013, which garnered widespread attention nationwide.
What did Tejpal’s lawyer appeal to the court?
During the sentencing hearing, Tejpal’s lawyer appealed to the court for leniency. He stated that Tarun Tejpal was targeted for political reasons and that he is the father of two daughters. On these grounds, the lawyer requested the court grant him leniency when deciding the sentence. The High Court has currently delivered a guilty verdict. The court’s final order on the sentence is pending. Further legal proceedings in the case will continue.
The sentence will be decided at 2:30 pm.
Advocate General Devidas Pangam stated in this case that the court has heard the accused’s arguments on the question of sentence length. The court will pronounce its order regarding the sentence. The order has been scheduled for 2:30 pm today.
What did the investigating officer say?
Sunita Sawant of the Goa Police, who was the investigating officer in the Tarun Tejpal sexual assault case, said, “The case was investigated properly. Everything that came to light during the investigation was presented to the court. There was a point when the trial court failed to understand the evidence. Everything was debated before the High Court. The High Court has set aside the acquittal order.”