Goa, Aug. 7 -- An apology email written by former Tarun Tejpal to his junior colleague shortly after the alleged sexual assault emerged as one of the key pieces of evidence relied upon by the prosecution in the case that resulted in his conviction and 10-year prison sentence on Thursday.

Tejpal was convicted for raping his junior colleague during the ThinkFest event organised by Tehelka at a five-star hotel in Goa in November 2013. The prosecution alleged that the assaults took place inside a hotel elevator on November 7 and 8, 2013.

Although a Goa trial court acquitted Tejpal in May 2021, the Goa government challenged the verdict before the Bombay High Court. The High Court overturned the acquittal, convicted him, and later sentenced h...