Tarun Tejpal (Indian Journalist) Biography

Quick Info

Profession	Journalist
Nationality	Indian
Date of Birth	15/03/1963
Age	63 years
Birthplace	Jalandhar, Punjab, India

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Bio/Wiki

Full Name	Tarun J Tejpal
Description	Indian journalist, publisher, and novelist. Founder of Tehelka, known for investigative journalism and sting operations. Also an accomplished novelist with international recognition.

Physical Stats & More

Height	180 cm
Weight	75 kg
Eye Color	Dark Brown
Hair Color	White

Educational Qualification(s)

College	DAV College, Chandigarh Panjab University, Chandigarh
Graduation	Economics

Personal Life

Religion	Hinduism
Address	A bungalow in Jangpura, South Delhi A villa in Moira, North Goa
Hobbies	Reading Writing

Relationships & More

Marital Status	Married
Spouse	Geetan Batra (m. 1985-present)
Children	Cara Tejpal Tiya Tejpal

Family

Father	Late Inderjit Tejpal (Army Personnel)
Mother	Late Shakuntala Tejpal
Siblings	Kunwar Tejpal aka Minty (Writer, Director) Neena T Sharma

Career

Summary

Started career in 1983 with The Indian Express in Chandigarh, worked at India Today and Outlook, founded India Ink in 1998, founded Tehelka.com in 2000, and Tehelka magazine in 2007. Known for pioneering investigative journalism and sting operations in India.

Notable Achievements

Gained popularity at 'India Today' as 'the Che Guevara of Indian journalism'
Listed amongst 'India’s 50 Most Powerful People 2009' by Business Weekly
Named one of Asia's 50 most powerful communicators by Asiaweek in 2001
Named one of 50 leaders at the forefront of change in Asia by BusinessWeek
Named among the 20 who constitute India's new elite by The Guardian in 2007
Debut novel 'The Alchemy of Desire' (2005) won Prix Millepages in France and was finalist for Prix Femina
Published novels 'The Story of My Assassins' (2009) and 'The Valley of Masks' (2011)
Tehelka gained international acclaim with Operation Westend sting operation in 2001 exposing defence deal corruption

Controversy

Incident	Sexual assault allegations in November 2013, stepped down as editor-in-chief of Tehelka Magazine

Favourites

Actor	Amitabh Bachchan
Writer	V S Naipaul
Destination	Nainital

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Born into a modest Punjabi family with an army background.
2. Had a keen interest in world history and affairs during childhood.
3. Was more interested in sports than studies in childhood.
4. Met his wife during college days in Chandigarh.
5. Never went to college to get his degree.
6. Started his career in the 1980s with 'The Indian Express', later joined 'India Today' and 'Outlook'.
7. Founded 'Tehelka.com' in 2000, known for sting operations.
8. Offered a ticket before the 2004 elections but refused due to disinterest in politics.
9. In 1983, secured an interview with Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
10. Left India Today in 1994 to join Financial Express as features head, later joined Outlook as managing editor.
11. Started his career in 1983 with The Indian Express in Chandigarh.
12. Co-founded Tehelka with Anirudha Bahal as an investigative news website.

Tarun Tejpal Journalist Indian Jalandhar, Punjab, India