New Delhi, August 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Goa government has approached the Supreme Court seeking enhancement of the 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence awarded to former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 sexual assault case involving a junior colleague.
The state is expected to seek a harsher and exemplary punishment for Tejpal, according to a lawyer familiar with the matter.
The move comes days after the Bombay High Court overturned Tejpal’s acquittal and convicted him of rape and other offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). On August 6, a division bench of Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar sentenced him to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and granted him two weeks to surrender before the jail authorities.
The High Court had allowed an appeal filed by the Goa government against the May 2021 judgment of a sessions court in Mapusa, which had acquitted Tejpal of all charges.
The High Court convicted Tejpal under Sections 376(2)(f) and 376(2)(k) of the IPC relating to rape, Section 354A concerning sexual harassment, and Section 354B relating to assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to disrobe.
During the sentencing hearing, Tejpal’s counsel sought suspension of the conviction for eight weeks to enable him to approach the Supreme Court. The defence argued that the High Court had reversed an acquittal and pointed out that Tejpal had no other criminal case pending against him.
Tejpal also sought leniency from the High Court, stating that he considered himself a victim and urging the bench to adopt a compassionate approach while deciding the sentence.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed the plea, arguing that the case required a strong message against sexual violence and stressing that “when a girl says no, it means no”.
The case dates back to November 2013, when a junior colleague accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her inside an elevator at a luxury hotel in Goa during an event.
The Goa Police subsequently registered an FIR against Tejpal on charges including rape. He was arrested in November 2013 after a local court rejected his anticipatory bail plea. The Supreme Court granted him regular bail in July 2014.
The latest plea by the Goa government will now bring the sentencing issue before the Supreme Court.
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