Tarun J. Tejpal is an Indian journalist, publisher and novelist best known as the founder of Tehelka, the investigative news platform that gained national prominence through high-profile sting operations exposing corruption in politics, defence and sports. Over a journalism career spanning more than three decades, he worked with leading publications such as India Today, The Indian Express and Outlook, before launching Tehelka in 2000.
Apart from journalism, Tejpal is an acclaimed author. His novels, including The Alchemy of Desire and The Story of My Assassins, received critical acclaim and established him as a prominent English-language writer. He has also been recognised internationally, featuring in lists of influential Asian communicators and business leaders compiled by publications such as Asiaweek, BusinessWeek and The Guardian.
Tejpal's career took a dramatic turn in November 2013, when a junior colleague accused him of sexually assaulting her inside an elevator during Tehelka's ThinkFest event in Goa. The allegations emerged through internal emails, prompting him to step down as Tehelka's editor. He was arrested later and released on bail in 2014.
The trial began in 2017, and in May 2021, a Goa sessions court acquitted Tejpal of all charges, granting him the benefit of the doubt. The verdict was widely criticised, prompting the Goa government to appeal before the Bombay High Court.
On August 6, 2026, the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court overturned the acquittal and convicted Tejpal of rape and sexual harassment, holding him guilty under multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including rape by a person in a position of trust or authority.
The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the State of Goa on a plea filed by former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal challenging his conviction and 10-year sentence in a 2013 rape case. During a brief hearing, Tejpal's counsel sought an early date and suspension of sentence, noting that he had surrendered following the reversal of his trial court acquittal by the High Court. Meanwhile, the Goa government has approached the top court seeking an enhancement of the 10-year term, calling it the minimum sentence. The court stated it would assign a date for hearing both aspects.
Convicted in a 2013 rape case involving a former colleague, Tarun Tejpal surrendered before the Mapusa court in Goa following directions from the Supreme Court. The court remanded him to judicial custody, sending him to Colvale Jail. The Bombay High Court bench at Goa had previously awarded Tejpal a 10-year prison sentence, which he challenged before the apex court. The Supreme Court had directed him to surrender within three weeks before hearing his petition on 22 September. Following his surrender, Tejpal maintained that he will continue to approach the Supreme Court, asserting confidence that justice will be delivered.
The Supreme Court has delivered a major setback to former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal, ordering him to surrender within two weeks. Tejpal had sought exemption from surrendering while requesting the apex court to hear his appeal against his conviction and 10-year prison sentence in a rape case. Under Supreme Court rules, a criminal appeal following a prison sentence requires the appellant to state whether they have surrendered. The Goa government opposed Tejpal's plea, stating he should have already surrendered while also seeking an enhancement of his punishment. Following his surrender, Tejpal may submit the surrender certificate to the court by September 22, after which a date for hearing his appeal will be scheduled.
The Bombay High Court sentenced Tarun Tejpal to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment after overturning his acquittal, prompting debate over whether the verdict marks a significant moment for the #MeToo movement and strengthens confidence among sexual assault survivors seeking justice.
