Goa Appeals Tejpal Acquittal Over Trial Court’s Treatment of Accuser
State lawyers told the Bombay High Court the sessions court relied on the woman’s conduct and allowed intrusive questioning during cross‑examination, raising issues that merit appellate review.
Overview
- The case traces to allegations that Tarun Tejpal sexually assaulted a colleague in a Goa hotel elevator on November 7 and 8, 2013.
- A Goa sessions court acquitted Tejpal in 2021 after finding no medical or corroborative evidence and citing the complainant’s messages and behaviour to reject the prosecution’s account.
- The State of Goa has appealed that acquittal and is arguing in the Bombay High Court that the trial court effectively prescribed how a victim must behave and misapplied evidentiary standards.
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench the complainant was 'virtually put on trial' through repeated, intrusive questions about drinking, smoking and views on consensual sex, while the state said her testimony remained steady.
- The ongoing high court hearings will test how appellate judges weigh victim treatment, the need for corroboration in sexual‑offence trials, and whether the sessions court’s reasoning warrants overturning the acquittal or guiding future trials.