Tarun Tejpal acquittal: Goa tells Bombay HC complainant put on trial during probe
The Bombay High Court on Friday heard the Goa government’s appeal against the 2021 acquittal of Tehelka founder-editor Tarun Tejpal in a rape case, during
The Bombay High Court on Friday heard the Goa government’s appeal against the 2021 acquittal of Tehelka founder-editor Tarun Tejpal in a rape case, during which the state said the complainant was "virtually put on trial" in her cross-examination and was asked invasive questions. After the hearing, the Goa bench posted the matter for June 24 for concluding arguments on behalf of the state. Read Full Story The case relates to a complaint by a woman who alleged that Tejpal sexually assaulted her in the lift of a five-star resort in Goa on November 7 and 8, 2013.
A sessions court acquitted Tejpal of all charges in 2021, saying the complainant "did not demonstrate any kind of normative behaviour" that a victim of sexual assault "might plausibly show". The state government has challenged that acquittal in the high court, where arguments are continuing. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state government before the division bench of Justices Amit Jamsandekar and Dr Neela Gokhale on June 19, said the survivor was targeted during her cross-examination. He told the court she was asked whether she was drinking, smoking, and whether she believed sex was taboo.
"Whenever a luring question is put to her version, she has resisted it. She has remained steadfastly the same from day one," Mehta submitted before the bench. He said the complainant was asked whether she believed sex was taboo, to which she replied that it was not taboo, provided it was consensual. Citing her testimony, Mehta said that when the defence counsel asked whether it was immoral to have consensual sex with different persons, the witness said she did not believe there was anything immoral about consensual sex. "This is what a true witness, what is called a sterling witness.
She says that consensual sex is not wrong, provided there is consent; an untruthful witness would say it is not good for society. She is forthright," he added. The hearing on the state’s challenge to Tejpal’s acquittal will continue on June 24, when the high court is set to hear the state’s concluding arguments, with the state maintaining that the complainant’s account has remained consistent throughout. Ends
The BriefWire