'Heavy weight lifted': Survivor's mother reacts after Tarun Tejpal conviction

The mother of the woman who accused former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal of rape said the Bombay High Court's verdict convicting him has brought a sense of relief after years of waiting for justice.

Reacting after the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court overturned Tejpal's acquittal and convicted him in the 2013 case, she said the judgment marked the end of a painful legal journey for the family.

'Took a lot of strength to keep going'

Speaking after the verdict, the survivor's mother said the case had taken an emotional toll over the past 13 years.

"The final verdict has lifted a heavy weight from my heart. It was painful long years and took a lot of strength to keep going," the survivor's mother said, as reported by NDTV.

She also thanked those who represented the prosecution during the proceedings.

"I could only thank the Goa government and their lawyers who believed and fought for justice," she added.

The survivor's identity has not been disclosed in accordance with the law.

Tejpal says he will appeal

The Bombay High Court's Goa bench convicted Tejpal, setting aside a 2021 trial court judgment that had acquitted him in the case. He has since announced that he will challenge the conviction before the Supreme Court.

Earlier in the day, while addressing the court before sentencing, Tejpal sought leniency.

"I am 62 and I believe I am a victim. I have a wife and that's not much else to say. All that I can say is we can go and appeal. Please be lenient for me. Rest all facts are placed on record," Tejpal said to the court.

The case relates to allegations that Tejpal sexually assaulted his junior colleague twice inside a hotel elevator during the ThinkFest event in Goa on November 7 and 8, 2013. He was arrested later that month.

Prosecution sought maximum punishment

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Goa government, argued that the case warranted the maximum punishment.

"Despite the victim, a girl of his daughter's age, he committed an offence. He was a father figure, should have not indulged into this. A precedent must be set. The victim refused but he kept advancing on two subsequent days. This court must give out a clear message to the society that when a girl says no, it means no. A no means a no," Mehta said.

Before the criminal case was filed, Tejpal had expressed remorse, describing the incident as "an awful misreading of the situation." He later maintained that he was the victim of a "political vendetta" and has now said he will challenge the High Court's verdict before the Supreme Court.