Tarun Tejpal’s conviction has reignited a fierce national debate on justice, accountability and the treatment of survivors of sexual assault. After comparing himself to political prisoners, Tejpal’s remarks triggered a sharp response from legal experts, authors and activists, who questioned both his defence and the years-long ordeal faced by the survivor.
The panel discusses the Bombay High Court’s decision to overturn Tejpal’s acquittal, the criticism of the trial court’s reliance on stereotypes about sexual assault survivors, the 13-year delay in justice, and whether politics has any place in this case. The debate also examines broader concerns about survivor shaming, selective accountability, delays in rape trials, and whether influential accused receive different treatment under the law.
