Newslaundry and its co-founder Abhinandan Sekhri are in the public limelight, not just for their blatant rape apologist behaviour but also for fostering a culture of sexual harassment in the workplace.
This week, the law finally caught up with one of their own. Tehalka founder Tarun Tejpal, who had raped his colleague in 2013, was convicted and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment. He is the same sexual predator that Abhinandan Sekhri had interviewed back in 2012.
Of course, one might argue that rape charges were not brought against him in that year and hence the idea of platforming Tejpal of all people was somehow harmless. However, there is evidence to the contrary that the top guns in the media industry knew about his conduct all along.
They did not just remain a mute spectator to his actions but actively rationalised, justified and intellectualised his predatory behaviour with new jargon and terminologies. The most infamous was ‘journalist’ Vinod Mehta’s description of sexual harassment by Tejpal as ‘non-consensual carnal favour.’
If this was not enough, in 2014, Newslaundry co-founder Abhinandan Sekhri’s sister Nirupama came up with a brazen defence of then rape-accused (now convict) Tarun Tejpal. She did not stop there and went one step ahead to vilify and character-assassinate the victim.
These were her golden words: “To begin with, I would like to establish quite clearly that I do not see you as a victim, unless it is of bubblegum feminism which I will speak in detail of later.”
First in my bloodline to see a 'counter perspective' on rape where the victim is vilified and a rapist is whitewashed.
— Dibakar Dutta (দিবাকর দত্ত) (@dibakardutta_) August 7, 2026
This brother-sister duo appear to be the peas of the same pod when it comes to being rape apologists.
The apple indeed doesn't fall far from the tree. https://t.co/iBMdusftCj
But the ease with which an ‘organisation’ rushes to the defence of a rape-accused gives you a sneak peek into the culture that enables such behaviour.
The fact that Newslaundry published the despicable rape apologist article, did not feel sorry for the trauma caused to the victim and dared to later remove it with a standard ‘self-reflection’ note highlighted how the rot ran deep into the system.
And that Pandora’s box opened with the conviction of Tarun Tejpal. Former female employees, who worked at Newslaundry, hinted at the culture of sexual harassment that openly exists within the company. The matter was first highlighted by journalist Saikiran Kannan.
Sumedha Mittal, a former senior correspondent at Newslaundry, tweeted, “I also hope the day comes when they reflect just as seriously on the sexual harassment complaints within their own newsroom.“
Mittal was reacting to the removal of the rape apologist story penned by Abhinandan Sekhri’s sister in 2014. An ex-employee speaking up about inaction against POSH complaints within Newslaundry raises a serious concern.
How many such sexual harassment complaints have been made within the organisation? And what has been the course of action on those complaints? Did the Newslaundry management brush them under the carpet and shield one of their own, ‘Tarun Tejpal’?
Another former Newslaundry employee, Priyanka Ishwari wrote, “Also hope they train senior journos not to scream at women editors and threaten them saying “Kabse dekha raha hun mein tereko” over work calls. Training male reporters to behave professionally around female colleagues and not make the office a boy’s lockeroom maybe too much to ask?“
It is evident from the testimonies of these female employees that a misogynistic and toxic male chauvinistic culture exists within the four walls of Newslaundry.
Another interesting point to note is that many seasoned predators and rape apologists manage to secure employment at this organisation. Take the example of #MeToo accused Vikram Kilpady, who, just like Tarun Tejpal, worked at Tehelka.’
A female journalist named Lamat R Hasan had narrated how she was ‘almost’ raped by Vikram in 2005. She narrated, “He turned violent—pulled my hair, grabbed my wrists, held me against a wall and then pushed me on the bed. My attempts to break free failed. I started crying. He let me go. That’s the closest I have come to being raped.“
The same man worked at Newslaundry as per their own disclosure.
If my memory serves me well, then I can recount one instance of Newslaundry’s Editor-in-Chief Raman Kirpal downplaying the rape of a minor girl in Nainital by a 65-year-old Muhammad Usman as an ‘affair’ and ‘small incident.’
Raman Kirpal, who was previously convicted of criminal defamation, grudgingly put out a token apology. Even Newslaundry had to issue a clarification. When the talk is unscripted, people often blurt out what is exactly on their mind.
For Kirpal to say what he did about the rape of a minor child, while serving as Editor-in-Chief of Newslaundry, gives us a clear idea about what is ‘normal’ in that particular organisation.
The selective champion of women’s rights and feminism couldn’t fix their own homes in all these years. But they are ready to mouth platitudes and virtue signal to others about everything under the sun.
Maybe Abhinandan Sekhri and his team can start by taking accountability. I know it’s kryptonite for the left-liberal ecosystem, but he can give it a try (for a change).
