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Tejpal seeks Supreme Court review of Bombay HC rape conviction

Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging his conviction in a 2013 sexual assault case. The move comes as the Goa government simultaneously pursues its own petition seeking enhanced punishment for the journalist.

LSN India · 20 August 2026

Tejpal seeks Supreme Court review of Bombay HC rape conviction

Tejpal has moved the apex court against the Bombay High Court's verdict in the case involving allegations of sexual assault made by a junior colleague at the news organisation. The appeal challenges both the conviction and the sentence handed down by the high court, sources indicated. Tejpal's petition follows the Goa government's separate Supreme Court filing, which seeks life imprisonment as punishment in the matter. The government's action represents an escalation in its prosecution efforts, coming on the heels of the high court's earlier orders on sentencing. Legal experts note that such parallel petitions can significantly complicate proceedings and may result in consolidated hearings before the Supreme Court. The case has drawn considerable public attention given Tejpal's prominent position in Indian journalism and media circles. The allegations date back to 2013 when the complainant first filed a police case against the senior journalist at Tehelka, a publication known for investigative reporting. The matter has remained contentious, with developments sparking broader discussions around workplace conduct and sexual harassment within media organisations.