Supreme Court Orders Tarun Tejpal to Surrender Within 2 Weeks in 2013 Rape Case
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal to surrender within two weeks before his appeal against conviction in a 2013 rape case can be heard on merits.
The single-judge Bench of Justice Alok Aradhe rejected his plea seeking exemption from surrender and ordered him to submit a surrender certificate before September 22.
The former journalist had challneged the Bombay High Court’s Goa Bench verdict, which overturned his earlier acquittal and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in the 2013 case.
The Apex Court heard Tejpal’s plea challenging the High Court verdict and considered arguments regarding his request to avoid immediate custody. Tejpal’s legal team argued that he had remained on bail for most of the proceedings and that the Bombay High Court had already granted him time to surrender. The defence also highlighted the long duration of the case and his age while seeking relief.
However, the State of Goa opposed the exemption plea, arguing that the appeal against conviction should be taken up only after the surrender requirement is fulfilled.
The Supreme Court accepted the state’s argument and directed Tejpal to surrender within two weeks. The court said the appeal would be listed for hearing after the submission of the surrender certificate.
The Supreme Court’s order follows the established procedure in criminal appeals, where a convicted person is generally required to surrender before seeking further legal relief unless the court grants specific exemption.
The court has fixed September 22 as the next date for listing the appeal, subject to compliance with the surrender direction.
The development means that the legal challenge against Tejpal’s conviction will move forward only after the procedural requirement is completed.
The Supreme Court proceedings follow the August 6 judgment of the Bombay High Court’s Goa Bench, which reversed the 2021 acquittal order passed by the trial court. The Division Bench of Justice Neela Gokhale and Justice Amit Jamsandekar convicted Tejpal in the case and awarded a 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence.
The High Court had rejected the Goa government’s demand for life imprisonment and imposed the minimum punishment prescribed under the law after considering various factors, including the time period since the incident. The Goa government has separately approached the Supreme Court seeking enhancement of the sentence.
The case dates back to November 2013 when allegations were raised against Tejpal by a former junior colleague during an event organised by Tehelka in Goa. Following the allegations, Goa Police registered a case and initiated criminal proceedings. Tejpal was arrested in November 2013 and later granted bail.
The trial continued for several years, and in May 2021, the Goa Sessions Court acquitted Tejpal, stating that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt. The Goa government later challenged the acquittal before the Bombay High Court, leading to the recent conviction order.
Tejpal has challenged the High Court judgment before the Supreme Court, seeking relief against both the conviction and sentence. The upcoming proceedings will examine the legal grounds raised in the appeal, including challenges to the High Court’s findings and the sentence imposed.
The case has attracted nationwide attention because of Tejpal’s profile as a former media figure and the wider legal questions involving criminal appeals, conviction, bail and surrender procedures. The case highlights the balance between the rights of a convicted person to pursue legal remedies and the requirement to follow criminal justice procedures after conviction.
