Supreme Court directs rape convict Tarun Tejpal to surrender within two weeks

PTC News Desk: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed rape convict and former Tehelka Editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal to surrender within two weeks. 

The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court on August 6 convicted Tejpal and sentenced him to 10 years of imprisonment for raping former colleague in 2013, overturning his 2021 acquittal in the case. 

Tejpal has challenged the High Court order, claiming he is a victim. 

The Goa government has also approached the Supreme Court, seeking a higher punishment for Tarun Tejpal in the case.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard arguments from both the Goa government and Tejpal.

Under Supreme Court rules, a person convicted by a lower court must surrender before challenging the conviction. A surrender certificate has to be submitted along with the appeal. However, a person can also seek exemption from surrender by filing a separate application.

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Goa government, said Tejpal's appeal could be considered only after he submits a surrender certificate.

The case

The case relates to allegations by a woman journalist who accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her inside a hotel elevator on November 7 and 8, 2013, during an event in Panaji. Tejpal was arrested on November 30, 2013, in connection with the allegations.

In September 2017, he was formally charged under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rape, sexual harassment and wrongful confinement. Tejpal denied the charges.

In May 2021, the Goa Sessions Court acquitted Tejpal of all charges, saying the prosecution had failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.

The Goa government later challenged the acquittal in the Bombay High Court and sought to overturn the trial court's decision.