The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed journalist Tarun Tejpal to surrender within two weeks in a 2013 rape case in which he has been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment. A Single-Judge Bench of Justice Alok Aradhe said the appeal would be heard once the certificate of his surrender is filed in the Supreme Court on or before September 22, 2026.
The State of Goa, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, argued that Tejpal should surrender before his appeal is listed for hearing in the Supreme Court. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, for Tejpal, countered that his client’s appeal ought to be listed first. Justice Aradhe had previously concluded that the appeal cannot be listed before the court until suitable orders are passed on the application seeking exemption from surrender.
Mr. Mehta had opposed the plea while citing the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, which are mandatory in nature and state that until and unless the appellant surrenders, Tejpal’s appeal should not be listed before the Supreme Court. However, Mr. Mehta also submitted that the Supreme Court has the power to do away with the requirement of surrender.
The case dates back to 2013 when Tejpal was accused of raping a junior colleague inside a hotel elevator. The Bombay High Court had convicted Tejpal of rape and sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for 10 years while overturning his acquittal by the trial court five years ago. Tejpal had claimed he was a political victim. The 62-year-old journalist had moved the Supreme Court challenging the August 6 order of the Bombay High Court against his conviction in the case.
Earlier, the Goa government had appealed to the top court seeking an enhanced sentence for the former editor of Tehelka, contending that the case warranted imprisonment for life. The Supreme Court’s decision on Tuesday marks a significant development in the case, with Tejpal now required to surrender within the specified timeframe.
