The Goa government has filed a petition with the Supreme Court, seeking to increase the sentence of journalist Tarun Tejpal from ten years to life imprisonment due to the severity of his crime.
Following the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court's ruling on August 6, which found Tarun Tejpal guilty under several sections of the Indian Penal Code relating to rape, sexual harassment, and criminal force against a woman, the Goa government has filed a petition before the Supreme Court. The government does not wish to reopen or challenge the findings recorded by the High Court but argues that the sentence imposed on Tarun Tejpal is manifestly inadequate. In 2013, Tarun Tejpal, the former editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine, was accused of raping a junior colleague in an elevator. He was arrested in November 2013 and granted bail by the Supreme Court in July 2014. After his conviction, his lawyer urged leniency in sentencing, stating that the offence was committed 13 years ago. However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the state, opposed this plea for leniency, emphasizing the need to set a precedent and send a clear message to society about consent. Tarun Tejpal himself requested a lighter sentence, stating his age and marital status.
Source:
Scroll.in
