Tejpal, 62, Sought Leniency, Calling Himself a Victim

Tarun Tejpal, convicted in the 2013 rape case by the Bombay High Court, said on Thursday he was targeted due to political vendetta and will appeal to the Supreme Court. Speaking to reporters in Goa after the conviction, the former Tehelka editor-in-chief claimed the case was driven by revenge, not evidence. "They are after me with sentiment of revenge for the last 13 years.

I have full faith in the judiciary that there will be judges who will see the truth, he said. Tejpal drew parallels with Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and Surendra Gadling, saying he was "one of them. The court noted the unequal power dynamics, as Tejpal was editor-in-chief while the complainant was a junior journalist.

Tejpal, 62, sought leniency, calling himself a victim. His lawyer, Abad Ponda, requested a stay on the conviction order to allow an appeal, noting Tejpal had been on bail without violations and had deposited his passport.