The Supreme Court of India has instructed Tarun Tejpal, the former editor of Tehelka, to surrender within a fortnight as it prepares to hear his appeal against his conviction in a rape case. Justice Alok Aradhe, overseeing the proceedings, inquired about the time Tejpal would need to comply with the order. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Tejpal, requested a two-week period, which the court approved and documented in its order. The appeal is scheduled for hearing on September 22.
“The appellant must surrender within two weeks and provide a surrender certificate. If the certificate is submitted by or before September 22, the office will list the matter for hearing on that date,” stated the court order.
The case concerns allegations from 2013, wherein Tejpal is accused of sexually assaulting a junior colleague in an elevator at a luxury hotel in Goa. Following these allegations, the Goa Police filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Tejpal, leading to his arrest in November 2013. He was subsequently released on bail in July 2014.
The trial against Tejpal began in 2017, extending over four years before culminating in an acquittal by a trial court in May 2021. However, the Bombay High Court overturned this decision on August 6, convicting Tejpal of rape and sentencing him to a decade of imprisonment, along with a fine exceeding ₹10 lakh. Tejpal has since appealed this conviction before the Supreme Court.
In the High Court’s August 6 ruling, a request by Tejpal led to a four-week grace period to surrender, although his appeal to stay the conviction was denied. On Tuesday, Advocate Sibal informed the Supreme Court that Tejpal has applied for exemption from surrendering.
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“This incident dates back to 2013, and we are now in 2026. Except for the first six months, he has been on bail throughout. The High Court granted a stay, and there is no stipulation in the Act. Considering all factors, the court should grant exemption. Sending him in for five days before the appeal is heard is unnecessary,” Sibal argued.
Opposing Tejpal’s exemption request, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Goa government, emphasized that the High Court’s suspension of the order was to facilitate the filing of an exemption appeal. Mehta argued that the case does not warrant an exception from surrender due to Tejpal’s multiple roles in the offense and the existence of a relevant appeal provision in the new act.
After hearing both parties, Justice Aradhe reiterated the order for Tejpal to surrender. The case remains under close scrutiny as the Supreme Court is set to deliberate on Tejpal’s appeal against the Bombay High Court’s decision.
