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Tarun Tejpal Appeals to Supreme Court Amid Ongoing Legal Tussle
The state says the 10-year term is grossly disproportionate and wants life imprisonment for two aggravated rape convictions.
On Thursday, journalist Tarun Tejpal moved the Supreme Court challenging his conviction in a 2013 sexual assault case, days after the Bombay High Court sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
The Bombay High Court convicted Tejpal on August 6, overturning his 2021 acquittal by the trial court and finding the lower court had failed to assess key evidence properly.
On Tuesday, the Goa government petitioned the Supreme Court arguing the 10-year sentence is "grossly disproportionate" and seeking enhancement to life imprisonment for the former Tehelka editor.
Prosecutors contend the two sexual assault incidents on successive days constituted separate criminal acts warranting enhanced punishment, while the High Court termed the trial court's acquittal order "perverse."
Tejpal, 62, maintains he is a "political victim" and will challenge the conviction, as the Supreme Court prepares to hear both his appeal and the state's request for life imprisonment.