Supreme Court refuses to suspend Tarun Tejpal's 10-year jail term in 2013 rape case

The Supreme Court has refused to suspend former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal's 10-year jail sentence in the 2013 rape case. He will continue serving his term while challenging the Bombay High Court's conviction.

In Short

• Tejpal challenges Bombay High Court's rape conviction and sentence
• Incident relates to 2013 sexual assault on junior colleague in Goa
• SC hearing adjourned, plea to allow Tejpal home for Diwali denied

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to suspend former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal's 10-year prison sentence in the 2013 rape case involving a junior colleague. The decision comes as Tejpal challenges the Bombay High Court verdict that overturned his acquittal and convicted him of rape.

Tejpal was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment by the Bombay High Court on August 6. The High Court overturned a trial court's 2021 verdict acquitting him in the case. The 62-year-old journalist subsequently approached the Supreme Court on August 20, challenging his conviction and sentence.

The case relates to the sexual assault of a junior colleague inside a hotel lift in Goa in November 2013, during an event organised by Tehelka magazine. Tejpal was the magazine's editor-in-chief at the time.

SC HEARING ON TEJPAL'S PLEA

The latest development follows a hearing on November 3, when the Supreme Court adjourned the matter until November 5 after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Goa government, sought more time.

A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale was hearing Tejpal's plea. During the proceedings, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the former editor, requested the court to allow his client to return home during Diwali.

"If he wants to take time, he can take time. But let him come out during Diwali," Sibal submitted, according to the Press Trust of India (PTI).

Mehta opposed the request and said the Goa government would contest it. The court subsequently adjourned the hearing. The Supreme Court has now refused to suspend Tejpal's 10-year sentence.

GOA GOVERNMENT SEEKS ENHANCEMENT OF SENTENCE

The Goa government has also approached the Supreme Court seeking an enhancement of Tejpal's sentence. The apex court had earlier issued two notices in the matter: one to the Goa Police on Tejpal's petition challenging his sentence and another to Tejpal on the state government's plea seeking a longer prison term.

The Bombay High Court convicted Tejpal under multiple provisions of the Bhartiya Nyay Samhita (BNS), including Section 376(2)(f), which deals with rape by a person in a position of trust or authority. He was also convicted under Section 354A, relating to sexual harassment, and Section 354B, concerning assault or use of criminal force with the intent to disrobe a woman.

Section 376(2)(f) provides for a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

Tejpal has previously maintained that he was a victim of a political vendetta. His appeal against the Bombay High Court's conviction and sentence is before the Supreme Court, while the Goa government's plea seeking a longer sentence also remains part of the proceedings.

- Ends
With PTI inputs