Digital Goa, August 6 – High Court granted former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal four weeks to surrender after convicting him in the 2013 sexual assault case and sentencing him to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment. While pronouncing the judgment, the division bench held that the survivor’s testimony was of “sterling quality” and was corroborated by witness statements, CCTV footage and Tejpal’s apology emails. The court also held that the trial court had relied on stereotypical assumptions about the conduct of sexual assault survivors. Tejpal was convicted under Sections 376(2)(f), 376(2)(k), 354, 354A, 354B, 341 and 342 of the IPC. All sentences will run concurrently. The court further directed that the fine of over Rs 10 lakh which Tejpal has been slapped upon will be paid to the survivor as compensation. AG Devidas Pangam said the defence is expected to approach the Supreme Court. “Our team of lawyers are ready to fight the case in the Supreme Court,” he said. Speaking to the media after the verdict, Tejpal said he was “very unhappy” with the judgment and alleged that he was a victim of political vendetta. He went on to reiterate that he will move the Supreme Court in the matter.
