India court convicts former top editor in rape case

An Indian court on Thursday convicted the former editor of an investigative news magazine of raping a junior colleague, overturning his acquittal in a case that drew nationwide attention.

Tarun Tejpal, 63, founded and led Tehelka magazine before the case ended his career.

What did the Bombay High Court rule against Tarun Tejpal?

The Bombay High Court set aside a 2021 trial court acquittal and convicted Tejpal of rape.

The Goa government had challenged that acquittal, and the High Court's Goa bench reversed it on Thursday. Tejpal will be sentenced later the same day.

What happened in the 2013 case against Tejpal?

Tejpal was accused of raping the journalist in the lift of a five-star hotel in Goa during an event in November 2013. He was arrested that month and spent seven months in jail.

The Supreme Court eventually granted him bail.

Why was Tejpal acquitted in 2021?

A trial court in Goa acquitted Tejpal in 2021 of charges including rape, sexual harassment and wrongful restraint. The Goa government challenged that verdict before the Bombay High Court.

The High Court has now overturned the acquittal and convicted him.

What did investigators say about the verdict?

Goa Police investigator Sunita Sawant, who led the probe, spoke to reporters after the verdict. "The accused has been convicted," she said.

She added that the ruling matters for working women: "This is a sentence where a girl has stood up for her rights... so this judgement is very important for women who are working in any sector."

Can Tejpal appeal the conviction?

Tejpal has denied the accusations throughout the case and can appeal the verdict in a higher court.

He was awaiting sentencing later on Thursday, following the High Court's decision to convict him.

How did the case affect India's rape laws and Tehelka's reputation?

The case emerged as India's handling of sexual assault was under intense scrutiny following the fatal gang rape of a 23-year-old student on a Delhi bus in December 2012. That attack triggered nationwide protests and international outrage, and pushed the government to strengthen the country's rape laws.

Tejpal's case badly damaged Tehelka's authority, since the magazine had built its reputation on championing women's rights and social justice. It continues to operate under new leadership but has not regained its earlier influence.