Tarun Tejpal, former editor-in-chief of Tehelka, was acquitted by Goa trial court on Friday. He was accused of raping and sexually assaulting a former colleague in a luxury hotel in Bambolim in 2013.
The verdict came after a seven year trial. Meanwhile, the Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that they will appeal in the High Court against the verdict.
Tejpal was booked under IPC Sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 354 (sexual harassment), 354A(1)(I)(II)(demand for sexual favours), 354B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 376 (2)(f) (person in a position of authority over women, committing rape) and 376(2)(k) (rape by a person in a position of control).
Standing in solidarity with the complainant, Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI) applauded her courage and determination to seek justice. Stating that her fight was tough, NWMI said that her fight has given courage to women to speak out about workplace harassment and violence.
NWMI further stated that also the case has also highlighted about the lack of mechanisms and processes to combat sexual harassment in media workplaces. Despite the enactment of the Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, the scenario has not changed since 2013.