Tarun Tejpal
Fresh trouble for Tarun Tejpal as Supreme Court directs Tehelka founder to surrender within two weeks
New Delhi/IBNS: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed former Tehelka Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal to surrender within two weeks as it heard his challenge against his conviction in a 2013 rape case.
The 63-year-old former journalist has challenged the Bombay High Court's August 6 order convicting him and sentencing him to 10 years in prison for raping a former colleague in 2013.
The Bombay High Court had overturned Tejpal's acquittal by a Goa Sessions Court in 2021.
The Goa government has separately approached the Supreme Court seeking an enhancement of the sentence imposed on Tejpal.
Goa govt seeks surrender before appeal
During Tuesday's hearing, the Supreme Court considered arguments from both the Goa government and Tejpal over the legal requirements before his appeal against the conviction can be heard.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Goa government, argued that Tejpal could pursue his appeal only after submitting a surrender certificate.
Under Supreme Court rules, a person challenging a conviction is generally required to surrender before filing or pursuing the appeal.
The rules also provide an alternative route through an application seeking exemption from surrender.
Mehta argued that, given the circumstances of the case, Tejpal should either submit the required surrender certificate or seek an exemption from the Supreme Court.
Kapil Sibal opposes requirement
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Tejpal, opposed the demand for surrender.
Sibal pointed out that the Bombay High Court had already stayed Tejpal's conviction and argued that requiring him to surrender again would therefore not be appropriate.
He also told the court that if the Supreme Court concluded that Tejpal should not receive relief, his client was prepared to go into custody.
The Supreme Court subsequently directed Tejpal to surrender within two weeks.
What is the 2013 case about?
The case stems from allegations by a female journalist who accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her inside a hotel elevator during an official event in Panaji in November 2013.
The alleged incidents took place on November 7 and 8, 2013. Tejpal was arrested on November 30 that year in connection with the allegations.
On September 29, 2017, the court formally charged him under several provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including rape, sexual harassment and wrongful confinement. Tejpal pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Goa court acquitted Tejpal in 2021
In May 2021, the Goa Sessions Court acquitted Tejpal of all charges, holding that the prosecution had failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The Goa government subsequently challenged the acquittal before the Bombay High Court and sought its reversal.
On August 6, the Bombay High Court convicted Tejpal and sentenced him to 10 years in prison, overturning the earlier acquittal.
Tejpal has now approached the Supreme Court challenging the High Court's verdict, while the Goa government has sought an increase in his sentence.
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