Tarun Tejpal Convicted in Sexual Assault Case; Bombay High Court Sets Aside Acquittal

In a significant ruling, the Bombay High Court has convicted Tarun Tejpal, former Editor-in-Chief of Tehelka, in a sexual assault case involving a woman employed at the magazine. The appellate court set aside the trial court's acquittal, finding that the victim's testimony was credible and merited acceptance.

The court held that the trial judge's findings were perverse, based on preconceived notions and hyper-technicalities rather than evidence. The appellate bench exercised its full power to reappreciate evidence while maintaining the double presumption in favour of the accused, a standard applied in criminal appeals.

Tejpal was convicted under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 376(2)(f), 376(2)(k), 354, 354-A, 354-B, 341 and 342. The case is registered as State of Goa v. Tarunjit Tejpal, 2026 SCC OnLine Bom 8926.