New Delhi, August 19: The Goa government has approached the Supreme Court following the Bombay High Court‘s sentencing of former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal to ten years of rigorous imprisonment for a sexual assault case. The state government has filed a petition requesting a harsher penalty for Tejpal.
The Goa government argues that the sentence handed down by the High Court is insufficient given the severity of the case and that the guilty party should face a more stringent punishment.
This case dates back to 2013 when Tejpal was accused of sexual harassment and rape of a junior colleague in a lift at a luxury hotel in Goa. Based on the complaint, the Goa police registered a case against him under various sections, and he was arrested in November 2013.
In May 2021, the Mapusa Sessions Court acquitted Tejpal, citing a lack of evidence. However, the Goa government challenged this decision in the Bombay High Court.
On August 6, 2026, the Bombay High Court overturned the lower court’s ruling, finding Tejpal guilty. The court sentenced him to ten years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine, stating that the lower court had not properly evaluated the available evidence. The High Court also noted that significant evidence in the case had not been given due importance.
During the sentencing hearing, Tejpal’s counsel requested a stay on the sentence and sought time to appeal to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta emphasized the need for a strong message to society regarding sexual violence cases.
In light of these developments, the Goa government has now filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking an increased sentence for Tejpal.
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