Supreme Court Defers Tarun Tejpal's Appeal to November 5; Goa Government Opposes Diwali Release

The Supreme Court on Tuesday postponed the hearing on former Tehelka Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal's appeal against his conviction and 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence in the 2013 rape case. The Goa government has also filed a plea seeking an enhancement of his sentence.

A Bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale adjourned the proceedings until November 5 after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Goa government, sought additional time.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tejpal, did not oppose the adjournment but requested that his client be allowed to leave prison and return home during Diwali.

"If he wants to take time, he can take time. But let (Tejpal) come out during Diwali," Sibal submitted.

Opposing the request, Mehta argued that Tejpal had been convicted. Sibal countered that the conviction had followed the reversal of his earlier acquittal and questioned why he should remain in prison during the festival.

The Goa government opposed the request for temporary release. The Supreme Court will take up the matter again on November 5.

Tejpal Challenges Bombay High Court Conviction

Tejpal has challenged a Bombay High Court judgment that overturned his acquittal by a sessions court and convicted him of rape and other offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The High Court sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.

The case relates to allegations by a junior colleague that Tejpal sexually assaulted her inside a lift at a luxury hotel in Goa during an event in November 2013.

In May 2021, a sessions court acquitted Tejpal, observing that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt. The court also pointed to alleged shortcomings in the investigation.

The Goa government subsequently challenged the acquittal before the Bombay High Court. On August 6, the High Court overturned the sessions court's decision and convicted Tejpal under Sections 376(2)(f) and 376(2)(k) (rape), 354A (sexual harassment) and 354B (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to disrobe) of the IPC.

Goa Government Seeks Harsher Sentence

Separately, the Goa government has approached the Supreme Court seeking an increase in the 10-year prison sentence imposed by the High Court.

Tejpal surrendered before the Additional Sessions Court in Mapusa, Goa, on September 14, following the Supreme Court's refusal to exempt him from the requirement to surrender.

He was subsequently transferred to Central Jail in Colvale, North Goa, to serve his sentence.

Both the challenge to his conviction and the Goa government's plea for a longer sentence are now scheduled for further hearing on November 5.