Bid to ‘silence’ him for investigative journalism: Tejpal’s daughter on his conviction in rape case
Cara Tejpal, daughter of former editor Tarun Tejpal, has publicly defended her father following his conviction for rape by the Bombay High Court. She claims the legal action is a politically motivated attempt to silence his investigative journalism.
Why it matters
This case raises significant questions regarding the intersection of high-profile criminal convictions, media freedom, and the public discourse surrounding sexual assault allegations.
Former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal’s daughter Cara Tejpal has linked his conviction by the Bombay High Court to his investigative journalism, claiming he was targeted because of the magazine's work and the rape allegation was used as a means to “silence” him.
In a statement issued on Saturday (August 8, 2026), Ms. Cara Tejpal said she did not care if she was labelled a “rape apologist” or the “child of a rapist”.
She sought to link the case to Tehelka’s investigative journalism and the "controversies surrounding the magazine’s reports on corruption" and alleged wrongdoing by those in power.
“Tarun Tejpal was more than a thorn in the side of the BJP government, and what better way to silence him than to portray him as the most reviled of all sinners—a rapist,” the statement said.
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