TFIPOST हिन्दी
TFIPOST Global
Tfipost.com
Tfipost.com
No Result
View All Result
  • Premium
  • Politics
    • All
    • Analysis
    • Opinions
    • Trending
    BJP President Race: North India Has the Edge

    Not a Woman, Not from the South: This Key Factor Will Decide BJP’s Next President

    J&K Royal Descendant Slams Khan Sir as Incompetent

    Distorting History, Misleading Youth: J&K Royal Descendant Slams Khan Sir as Incompetent and Irresponsible

    Nishikant Dubey: Indira Gandhi Took Funds from Industrial Giants

    Corporate Cash Behind Congress? BJP MP Nishikant Dubey Alleges Industrial Funding to Indira Gandhi

    Air India Crash Mystery: No Bird Hit, Ignored FAA Alert, and Fuel Switches Off

    Fuel Switches Off, FAA Alert Ignored: What Caused the Air India Crash?

    • Analysis
    • Opinions
    • Trending
  • Economy
    • All
    • Business
    • Economy1
    • Finance
    Namibia Bets on Indian Tech: How UPI Will Revolutionise Its Economy and Boost India's Global Digital Clout

    Namibia Bets on Indian Tech: How UPI Will Revolutionise Its Economy and Boost India’s Global Digital Clout

    Opportunities for Youth in a Changing India

    Opportunities for Youth in a Changing India: Global Investment Expert Manu Seth Shares Insights

    Simple Legal Steps to Protect Your Brand in India

    Simple Legal Steps to Protect Your Brand in India

    Indian-Origin Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja Appointed Treasurer of Elon Musk’s 'America Party'

    Indian-Origin Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja Selected Treasurer of Elon Musk’s ‘America Party’

    • Business
    • Finance
  • Defense
    • All
    • Defence
    • Strategy
    • Weaponry
    Representative Image

    EXCLUSIVE: After Operation Sindoor, India Arms Its Forces for New Battlefront: War for Narrative Dominance

    Modi Govt Targets Strategic Dams Near Pakistan, Seeks ₹3,119 Crore to Speed Kwar Project

    Modi Govt Targets Strategic Dams Near Pakistan, Seeks ₹3,119 Crore to Speed Kwar Project

    4 Chinese Nationals Arrested for Spying on Rafale Jets in Greece

    4 Chinese Nationals Arrested for Spying on Rafale Jets in Greece

    Decoy That Changed the Game: How India's AI-Powered X-Guard Neutralised Pakistani Air Threats

    Rafale Decoy Confused Pakistan Jets During Operation Sindoor, Claims US Veteran Pilot

    • Defence
    • Strategy
    • Weaponry
  • Geopolitics
    • All
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • Europe
    • South Asia
    • West Asia
    Representative Image

    EXCLUSIVE: After Operation Sindoor, India Arms Its Forces for New Battlefront: War for Narrative Dominance

    Kapil Sharma’s Café Targeted by Suspected Khalistani Terrorists

    Kapil Sharma’s Café Targeted by Khalistani Terrorists: Canada’s Dangerous Embrace of Radical Elements Exposed

    Modi Govt Targets Strategic Dams Near Pakistan, Seeks ₹3,119 Crore to Speed Kwar Project

    Modi Govt Targets Strategic Dams Near Pakistan, Seeks ₹3,119 Crore to Speed Kwar Project

    Taliban Blocks 45-Year-Old Man from Taking 6-Year-Old Wife

    Taliban Blocks 45-Year-Old Man from Taking 6-Year-Old Wife, Asks Him to Wait Till She’s 9

    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • Europe
    • South Asia
    • West Asia
  • Knowledge
    • All
    • Culture
    • Education
    • History
    • Indology
    The Pride of Maratha Power Gets UNESCO Tag

    From Raigad to Suvarnadurg: The Pride of Maratha Power Gets UNESCO Tag

    Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Suspends Senior Official for Attending Church Services

    Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Suspends Senior Official for Attending Church Services

    The Beginning of Devotion: History of the First Kanwar Yatra

    The Beginning of Devotion: History of the First Kanwar Yatra 

    Kanwar Yatra: UP Gears Up With Full-Scale Arrangements

    Kanwar Yatra: Four Devotional Paths, One Divine Destination

    • Culture
    • History
    • Indology
  • Law
  • Lounge
    • All
    • Books
    • Cinema
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Games
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Satire
    • Sports
    • technology
    • Travel
    Nova88 App Compatibility: Works Seamlessly on All Devices

    Nova88 App Compatibility: Works Seamlessly on All Devices

    Why Every Sports Team Now Has a Data Scientist

    Why Every Sports Team Now Has a Data Scientist

    Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda among other Tollywood actors booked for promoting illegal betting apps

    Prakash Raj, Deverakonda, Rana Booked by ED in Betting Scam Case

    Try These 6 High-Protein Vrat-Friendly Foods to Stay Energised

    Fasting This Sawan 2025? Try These 6 High-Protein Vrat-Friendly Foods to Stay Energised

    • Books
    • Cinema
    • Food
    • Health
    • Sports
    • technology
    • Travel
    • Satire
Tfipost.com
  • Premium
  • Politics
    • All
    • Analysis
    • Opinions
    • Trending
    BJP President Race: North India Has the Edge

    Not a Woman, Not from the South: This Key Factor Will Decide BJP’s Next President

    J&K Royal Descendant Slams Khan Sir as Incompetent

    Distorting History, Misleading Youth: J&K Royal Descendant Slams Khan Sir as Incompetent and Irresponsible

    Nishikant Dubey: Indira Gandhi Took Funds from Industrial Giants

    Corporate Cash Behind Congress? BJP MP Nishikant Dubey Alleges Industrial Funding to Indira Gandhi

    Air India Crash Mystery: No Bird Hit, Ignored FAA Alert, and Fuel Switches Off

    Fuel Switches Off, FAA Alert Ignored: What Caused the Air India Crash?

    • Analysis
    • Opinions
    • Trending
  • Economy
    • All
    • Business
    • Economy1
    • Finance
    Namibia Bets on Indian Tech: How UPI Will Revolutionise Its Economy and Boost India's Global Digital Clout

    Namibia Bets on Indian Tech: How UPI Will Revolutionise Its Economy and Boost India’s Global Digital Clout

    Opportunities for Youth in a Changing India

    Opportunities for Youth in a Changing India: Global Investment Expert Manu Seth Shares Insights

    Simple Legal Steps to Protect Your Brand in India

    Simple Legal Steps to Protect Your Brand in India

    Indian-Origin Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja Appointed Treasurer of Elon Musk’s 'America Party'

    Indian-Origin Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja Selected Treasurer of Elon Musk’s ‘America Party’

    • Business
    • Finance
  • Defense
    • All
    • Defence
    • Strategy
    • Weaponry
    Representative Image

    EXCLUSIVE: After Operation Sindoor, India Arms Its Forces for New Battlefront: War for Narrative Dominance

    Modi Govt Targets Strategic Dams Near Pakistan, Seeks ₹3,119 Crore to Speed Kwar Project

    Modi Govt Targets Strategic Dams Near Pakistan, Seeks ₹3,119 Crore to Speed Kwar Project

    4 Chinese Nationals Arrested for Spying on Rafale Jets in Greece

    4 Chinese Nationals Arrested for Spying on Rafale Jets in Greece

    Decoy That Changed the Game: How India's AI-Powered X-Guard Neutralised Pakistani Air Threats

    Rafale Decoy Confused Pakistan Jets During Operation Sindoor, Claims US Veteran Pilot

    • Defence
    • Strategy
    • Weaponry
  • Geopolitics
    • All
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • Europe
    • South Asia
    • West Asia
    Representative Image

    EXCLUSIVE: After Operation Sindoor, India Arms Its Forces for New Battlefront: War for Narrative Dominance

    Kapil Sharma’s Café Targeted by Suspected Khalistani Terrorists

    Kapil Sharma’s Café Targeted by Khalistani Terrorists: Canada’s Dangerous Embrace of Radical Elements Exposed

    Modi Govt Targets Strategic Dams Near Pakistan, Seeks ₹3,119 Crore to Speed Kwar Project

    Modi Govt Targets Strategic Dams Near Pakistan, Seeks ₹3,119 Crore to Speed Kwar Project

    Taliban Blocks 45-Year-Old Man from Taking 6-Year-Old Wife

    Taliban Blocks 45-Year-Old Man from Taking 6-Year-Old Wife, Asks Him to Wait Till She’s 9

    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • Europe
    • South Asia
    • West Asia
  • Knowledge
    • All
    • Culture
    • Education
    • History
    • Indology
    The Pride of Maratha Power Gets UNESCO Tag

    From Raigad to Suvarnadurg: The Pride of Maratha Power Gets UNESCO Tag

    Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Suspends Senior Official for Attending Church Services

    Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Suspends Senior Official for Attending Church Services

    The Beginning of Devotion: History of the First Kanwar Yatra

    The Beginning of Devotion: History of the First Kanwar Yatra 

    Kanwar Yatra: UP Gears Up With Full-Scale Arrangements

    Kanwar Yatra: Four Devotional Paths, One Divine Destination

    • Culture
    • History
    • Indology
  • Law
  • Lounge
    • All
    • Books
    • Cinema
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Games
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Satire
    • Sports
    • technology
    • Travel
    Nova88 App Compatibility: Works Seamlessly on All Devices

    Nova88 App Compatibility: Works Seamlessly on All Devices

    Why Every Sports Team Now Has a Data Scientist

    Why Every Sports Team Now Has a Data Scientist

    Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda among other Tollywood actors booked for promoting illegal betting apps

    Prakash Raj, Deverakonda, Rana Booked by ED in Betting Scam Case

    Try These 6 High-Protein Vrat-Friendly Foods to Stay Energised

    Fasting This Sawan 2025? Try These 6 High-Protein Vrat-Friendly Foods to Stay Energised

    • Books
    • Cinema
    • Food
    • Health
    • Sports
    • technology
    • Travel
    • Satire
No Result
View All Result
Tfipost.com
Tfipost.com
No Result
View All Result
  • Premium
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Defense
  • Geopolitics
  • Knowledge
  • Law
  • Lounge

Tarun Tejpal: The man, the icon, the fugitive

Pratyush Madhav by Pratyush Madhav
24 July 2023
in Opinions
Tarun Tejpal: The man, the icon, the fugitive
Share on FacebookShare on X

“You are free to choose, but you are not free from the consequences of your choice”

Karma has its own ways of getting back. Tarun Tejpal learnt it the hard way as The Delhi High Court ordered him of late to pay 2 crore rupees in retribution to Major General MS Ahluwalia [Retd.], whose life and his career was destroyed by Tarun’s promiscuous journalism.

RelatedPosts

Agra Congress Leader Jalaluddin Accused of Raping Woman in Party Office, Forcing Conversion to Islam

‘They Gave Me an Inhaler, Then Raped Me’: Kolkata Law Student’s Chilling Testimony

Law Student’s Gangrape Was Pre-Planned, Victim Deliberately Targeted: Kolkata Police

Load More

The Emergence of Tehelka and “Operation West End”

 Founded in 2000 by Tarun Tejpal and Aniruddha Bahal, Tehelka initially aimed to be a fearless and investigative journalism-oriented tabloid. The magazine garnered attention for its explosive reporting on the Match Fixing Scandal, which involved cricket players and bookies. This investigation catapulted Tehelka into the limelight and established it as a force worth reckoning in the media landscape.

Also read: The legal legacy of ‘midnight bail receiver’ Teesta Setalvad’s family

The turning point in Tehelka’s trajectory came with the infamous “Operation West End” in 2000, where the magazine sought to expose corruption within the Indian defense establishment. Posing as arms dealers, Tehelka journalists used hidden cameras to trap politicians, bureaucrats, and military officers accepting bribes in defense deals.

The Darker Shades of “Tahalka” journalism

Let’s talk about the case in particular. In 2002, Major General MS Ahluwalia filed a defamation case against Tehelka and its journalists, including Tarun Tejpal, Aniruddha Bahal, and Mathew Samuel. The magazine had accused him of accepting bribes in defense deals, leading to his court-martial by the Indian Army. The fallout from this episode revealed Tehelka’s lack of journalistic ethics and integrity in framing its subjects.

Also read: Once upon a time, these were legends. Now, they’re just a bunch of losers

As a result of the false allegations against him, Major General MS Ahluwalia was court-martialled by the Indian Army with the recommendation to dismiss him from service. Later, the punishment was downgraded, and he was awarded “Severe Displeasure (Recordable)” by the army chief. This incident further damaged Tehelka’s credibility and exposed the magazine’s lack of journalistic rigor and accountability.

While the sting operation did uncover some unsavory truths about corruption, the methods employed by Tehelka, such as using women, liquor, and money to entrap individuals, raised ethical concerns. Critics accused the magazine of crossing ethical boundaries and indulging in entrapment journalism rather than unbiased reporting. We haven’t begun on the way they aimed to be the judge, jury and executioner in the Gujarat riots case.

Skeletons tumble

 As Tehelka gained notoriety, dark secrets started emerging. It all began with Raman Kripal, a senior editor of Tehelka, who accused the magazine of suppressing a report that was unfavorable to the Goa mining industry. Allegedly, Tehelka wanted Congress-led Digambar Kamat state government’s support for the Tejpal-owned and profitable “Think Fest” event in Goa. Tejpal defended Tehelka, stating that Kripal was “asked to leave because of poor performance.”

The role of mining groups placing advertisements and sponsoring Tehelka events during the time when the unfavorable report was suppressed raised questions about the magazine’s objectivity and financial interests. These incidents indicated a disturbing trend of compromising journalistic integrity in favor of personal gains and appeasing powerful interests.

The final nail in the coffin

The final nail in the coffin of Tehelka’s credibility was the shocking revelation of sexual assault allegations against Tarun Tejpal in 2013. A fellow journalist accused him of sexually assaulting her during a Tehelka-sponsored event. The incident received intense public attention and invited media scrutiny of Tehelka’s ethical standards.

 

However, this was only the beginning, Tehelka’s previous emphasis on women’s rights and victim advocacy was exposed as hollow when the magazine attempted to discredit the victim and tarnish her reputation. Emerging reports of Tarun and his colleague, Shoma Chaudhary trying to scare the victim into silence caused a furore throughout the nation. This glaring contradiction in the magazine’s conduct further eroded public trust and raised questions about the genuineness of its purported commitment to ethical journalism.

#Breaking Delhi HC orders journalist Tarun Tejpal, news platform Tehelka and two reporters to pay ₹2 crore in damages to Maj Gen MS Ahluwalia for defamation.

Order comes 22 years after Tehelka carried a sting operation saying that Ahluwalia was involved in corruption in the… pic.twitter.com/6LRYFF1Xqs

— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) July 21, 2023

The sexual assault allegations against Tejpal led to his arrest, trial, and subsequent acquittal on spurious grounds in a local court. However, the damage to his reputation and that of Tehelka was irreversible. The incident highlighted the culture of silence and lack of accountability prevalent in many media organizations.

Fixers getting a taste of their own medicine

 Tarun Tejpal and Tehelka’s rise and fall serve as a cautionary tale for the Indian media landscape. Their pursuit of sensationalism and personal agendas over ethical journalism led to irreversible damage to their reputation and credibility. As Ravish Kumar shamelessly calls journalists with a different perspective as “Godi Media”, he conveniently chooses to brush such “fixers” under the carpet.As the Indian media continues to evolve, it is essential for journalists and media organizations to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability. The pursuit of sensationalism may bring short-term fame, but it is the pursuit of truth and ethical journalism that will earn the trust and respect of the audience in the long run. Only then can the media truly serve as a watchdog of democracy and an agent of positive change in society.

Support TFI:

Support us to strengthen the ‘Right’ ideology of cultural nationalism by purchasing the best quality garments from TFI-STORE.COM

Also Watch:

Tags: allegationsArms dealersBribesCorruptioncriminal chargesDefense dealsExposeFall from graceHidden camerasIndian defense establishmentLegal caseMagazineMilitary officersOperation West EndPosingpromiscuous journalismRapeScandalSexual AssaultTehelkaTrajectoryturning point
ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

Empowering Wisdom – Boss Up Quotes and Captions

Next Post

The truth about Manipur that no one wants to let you know

Related Posts

India Must Not Imitate The West
Opinions

India Must Not Imitate The West

11 July 2025

India must not ape the West, whose value systems, rooted in individualism, consumerism, and cultural decay, are fragmenting their...

China triggers global supply chain crisis in critical minerals
Opinions

China Just Triggered a Global Supply Chain Crisis; Here’s Why It Could Make India a Superpower

10 July 2025

China’s recent restrictions on rare earth exports have laid bare critical weaknesses in global supply chains. Yet, as Dr....

way ahead of G7 summit
Opinions

When The Summit Became A Stage: The G7, Trump’s Exit, And Fractured World

17 June 2025

In the crisp alpine air of Kananaskis, nestled amidst the brooding Rockies of Alberta, world leaders gathered to forge...

Load More

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms of use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Currently Playing

Stalin’s DMK Faces Heat Over Brutal Custodial Killings in Tamil Nadu

Stalin’s DMK Faces Heat Over Brutal Custodial Killings in Tamil Nadu

00:08:06

Hindu girl r@ped, burned with cigarettes and forced to convert to Islam

00:03:31

Delhi’s Trump Card: Kejriwal Wants a Nobel for Surviving Politics

00:05:03

Team B of DMK? The Truth About Actor Vijay’s Party

00:07:45

Rs 15,000 cr gone? Saif Ali Khan's crown crushed by enemy property law

00:04:40
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube
tfipostTfipost.com
Right Wing | News Analysis | Indian Opinion
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Brand Partnerships
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
MASHABLE IS A GLOBAL, MULTI-PLATFORM MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY. FOR MORE QUERIES AND NEWS, CONTACT US AT info@mashablepartners.com


©2025 TFI Media Private Limited

No Result
View All Result
  • Premium
  • Politics
    • Analysis
    • Opinions
    • Trending
  • Economy
    • Business
    • Finance
  • Defense
    • Defence
    • Strategy
    • Weaponry
  • Geopolitics
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia Pacific
    • Europe
    • South Asia
    • West Asia
  • Knowledge
    • Culture
    • History
    • Indology
  • Law
  • Lounge
    • Books
    • Cinema
    • Food
    • Health
    • Sports
    • technology
    • Travel
    • Satire
TFIPOST हिन्दी
TFIPOST Global

©2025 TFI Media Private Limited