Senior Journalist Tarun Tejpal, founder of Tehelka, has been charged with serious sections of the Indian Penal Code. They include, overall, rape and sexual harassment of a junior colleague. A Goa (in Mapusa) court announced the charges and said that trial will begin on September 28.

The accusations have been brought by Tejpal’s former employee, a woman, who also happens to be a friend of Tejpal’s daughter. The incident took place in an elevator of a five star hotel in Goa, where Tehelka and Tejpal were conducting a function, THiNK 2013 in November that year.

With the number of cases against the 54-year-old former editor large, he looks at a 10-year sentence if found guilty.

The charges against him are (IPC):

354 (A): Sexual harassment, involving a man committing any of the following acts—

* Physical contact and advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures; or

* A demand or request for sexual favours; or

* Showing pornography against the will of a woman; or

* Making sexually coloured remarks, shall be guilty of the offence of sexual harassment.

354 (B): Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe (Any man who assaults or uses criminal force to any woman or abets such act with the intention of disrobing or compelling her to be naked)

341: Wrongful restraint

342: Wrongful confinement

376(2)F: Rape (being a relative, guardian or teacher of, or a person in a position of trust or authority towards the woman, commits rape on such woman)

376(2)K: Rape (being in a position of control or dominance over a woman, commits rape on such woman)

—India Legal Bureau​