New Delhi, August 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected former Tehelka Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal’s plea seeking exemption from surrender in the 2013 rape case and directed him to surrender within two weeks.
A single-judge bench of Justice Alok Aradhe directed Tejpal to file his surrender certificate on or before September 22. The court made it clear that his appeal challenging his conviction and 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence would be considered on merits only after he surrenders.
The order came after the court heard senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tejpal, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Goa government.
Sibal submitted that the Bombay High Court had granted Tejpal four weeks to surrender on August 6. He argued that his client had remained on bail for most of the proceedings, except for the first six months, and was now a senior citizen.
Sibal also relied on the Supreme Court (Enlargement of Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction) Act, 1970, arguing that the apex court could consider the exemption plea along with Tejpal’s appeal on merits.
Mehta opposed the plea, submitting that Tejpal’s appeal could not be heard unless he either surrendered and produced a surrender certificate or secured an exemption from surrender. He also argued that the 1970 legislation cited by Sibal was temporary and that appellate jurisdiction was now governed by the applicable statutory provisions.
After hearing both sides, Justice Aradhe informed Tejpal’s counsel that the plea had been rejected and asked how much time would be required for the surrender. Sibal sought two weeks, which the court accepted.
The Supreme Court directed that if Tejpal files his surrender certificate on or before September 22, his appeal will be listed on that date for hearing on merits.
The Goa government has separately approached the Supreme Court seeking enhancement of Tejpal’s 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence.
The developments follow the Bombay High Court’s August 6 judgment setting aside Tejpal’s acquittal by a sessions court and convicting him of rape and other offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). A division bench of Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar subsequently sentenced him to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and granted him time to surrender.
Tejpal was convicted under Sections 376(2)(f) and 376(2)(k) relating to rape, Section 354A concerning sexual harassment, and Section 354B concerning assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to disrobe.
The case originated from allegations by a junior colleague who accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her inside an elevator at a luxury hotel in Goa during an event in November 2013. Goa Police registered an FIR against him, following which 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.
In May 2021, a sessions court acquitted Tejpal, holding that the prosecution had failed to establish the case beyond reasonable doubt and pointing to alleged investigation lapses. The Goa government subsequently challenged the acquittal before the Bombay High Court, arguing that the trial court had incorrectly assessed the evidence.
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