Tejpal case judgement is a grave miscarriage of justice :NWMI

Prakash Kamat

Panaji,June 5- The Network of Women in Media in India(NWMI),body which provides a forum for women in media  professions believes that the recent judgement in Tarun Tejpal case is a grave miscarriage of justice and a massive setback for the Indian women’s rights movement and the safety of working women in particular.

The NWMI believes that the May 21, 2021 acquittal of Tarun Tejpal, the Editor-in-Chief of Tehelka magazine –charged in 2013 of the rape, unlawful confinement  sexual harassment of a colleague– must be closely scrutinised in the interests of justice for survivors of sexual violence.

The NWMI critique of the 527-page judgement in State (through CID CB North Goa) vs Tarunjit Tejpal highlights the following:

Persistent shaming and discrediting of the survivor as though she were the one on trial.

The problematic setting out standards for a “sterling witness” and the “normative” look of a traumatised woman.

Location of Tarun Tejpal in a position of “trust or authority”

The short shrift to consent, the defining factor in sexual assault including rape.

Interpretation of evidence in apology emails by Tejpal himself including one in which he acknowledged a “shameful lapse of judgement” and “clear reluctance” on the part of the survivor.

Punishment in the long-drawn out, traumatic process.

The violation of rights through the digital “strip search”.

Failure of Tehelka as employers.

The critique can be found here:

https://www.nwmindia.org/sexual-harassment-work/the-tejpal-acquittal-nwmis-critique-of-the-judgement/(eom)