Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Aug 6: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday welcomed the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court's decision sentencing former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in the 2013 sexual assault case, describing the verdict as a "victory for justice".

"The verdict delivered today by the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court in the Tarun Tejpal case is a victory for justice. Since the incident occurred in Goa, it was the responsibility of the Goa Police and the government to consistently follow up on the case. Our government pursued the matter diligently, and today the verdict has been delivered," Sawant said.

The High Court imposed a sentence of 10 years' rigorous imprisonment after earlier convicting Tejpal in the case. The verdict came on an appeal filed by the Goa government challenging his acquittal by a Goa Sessions Court in 2021.

Following the sentencing, Goa Advocate General Devidas Pangam said the state government would examine the detailed order, including the sentence and the amount of fine imposed, before deciding whether to pursue any further legal remedies.

"Regarding the sentence of 10 years, we will study the matter. We will decide whether to challenge that part of the order. We have not taken any decision so far," Pangam said.

He added that the state had sought the maximum possible fine and would take a decision after receiving the certified copy of the judgment.

"We wanted the maximum fine to be imposed, and once we receive a copy of the order, we will take a call on it," he said.

Pangam also clarified that the High Court had granted Tejpal four weeks to surrender before the authorities.

"Actually, four weeks' time has now been granted, although initially it was announced as two weeks," he said.

Earlier, senior Goa Police officer and investigating officer in the case, Sunita Sawant, had stated that Tejpal was sentenced to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 5 lakh.

Advocate Cyndiana Silva, who represented the Goa Police and the state government, said Tejpal had been convicted on all charges framed against him.

The case relates to allegations made by a woman journalist, who accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her inside a hotel elevator in Goa on November 7 and 8, 2013, during an event.

Tejpal was arrested on November 30, 2013, and charged under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including rape, sexual harassment and wrongful confinement.

In May 2021, a Goa Sessions Court acquitted him of all charges, following which the Goa government challenged the acquittal before the Bombay High Court.

Ahead of the sentencing, Tejpal said he would challenge the High Court's decision before the Supreme Court and alleged that the case against him was politically motivated.

"We will go to the Supreme Court, hundred per cent we will go. For 13 years, because of a political vendetta due to Tehelka's work, they have been after me. We fought the case in the trial court for seven and a half years and were acquitted. Now they are after me again," he said.

He further alleged that he was being targeted for the magazine's investigative journalism and claimed that he had been falsely implicated.