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India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal to surrender within two weeks in connection with the 2013 Goa sexual assault case. The apex court also directed him to submit his surrender certificate on or before September 22, after which his appeal against the conviction will be placed before a Division Bench for consideration on merits.
The order came while the court was hearing Tejpal’s plea seeking exemption from surrender pending his challenge to the Bombay High Court verdict convicting him and sentencing him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in the 2013 case.
The Supreme Court ordered Tarun Tejpal to surrender within two weeks for the 2013 Goa sexual assault case following his conviction and 10-year sentence by the Bombay High Court; his appeal hearing is scheduled for September 22.
Justice Alok Aradhe rejected the arguments advanced by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tejpal, that his client should not be required to surrender before his appeal is heard.
Sibal pointed out that the Bombay High Court had granted Tejpal four weeks to surrender after its August 6 verdict. He also submitted that Tejpal had remained on bail throughout the proceedings, except for a period of six months, and is now a senior citizen.
Sibal further relied on the Supreme Court (Enlargement of Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction) Act, 1970, arguing that the court was not required to decide the plea for exemption from surrender separately before considering the appeal on merits. He submitted that both issues could be considered together.
The Supreme Court had reserved its decision on Tejpal’s plea on Monday after hearing arguments on whether he could challenge the conviction without first surrendering.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the State of Goa, opposed Tejpal’s plea.
Mehta argued that Tejpal’s appeal could not be heard unless he first surrendered or obtained an exemption from surrender. He also opposed reliance on the 1970 Act, pointing out that it was temporary legislation and that provisions governing the Supreme Court’s appellate jurisdiction are now in place.
The Solicitor General further submitted that the nature of the offence was relevant while considering the relief sought by Tejpal, arguing that he had been convicted of an aggravated form of rape.
The Goa government had earlier told the Supreme Court that Tejpal should have surrendered before challenging the conviction. The State has also separately approached the apex court seeking enhancement of his sentence to life imprisonment.
After hearing the arguments, Justice Alok Aradhe rejected Tejpal’s plea and directed him to surrender within two weeks.
Tejpal was recently convicted by the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court in the 2013 sexual assault case involving a former junior colleague.
On August 6, the High Court overturned his acquittal by the trial court and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. The trial court had acquitted Tejpal in 2021.
Tejpal subsequently approached the Supreme Court challenging both his conviction and the 10-year sentence. He also sought exemption from surrendering until his appeal was considered.
The issue of surrender became central to the proceedings before the Supreme Court.
On Monday, the Goa government had argued that Tejpal should have surrendered before approaching the Supreme Court with his appeal. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that under the Supreme Court Rules, an accused who has been convicted and sentenced must either surrender and produce a surrender certificate or seek an exemption from surrender.
The Supreme Court considered Tejpal’s plea for exemption on Tuesday and directed him to surrender within two weeks.
The court also indicated that his appeal against the conviction would be taken up after he complies with the surrender order.
What Is the 2013 Goa Sexual Assault Case?
The case dates back to 2013, when a former female colleague accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her during an event in Goa.
The allegations led to a high-profile criminal case against the former journalist.
In 2021, a Goa sessions court acquitted Tejpal. The prosecution challenged the acquittal, and the matter eventually reached the Bombay High Court’s Goa bench.
In August 2026, the High Court overturned the acquittal and convicted Tejpal, sentencing him to 10 years in prison.
Tejpal Challenges 10-Year Jail Sentence
Tejpal has challenged the Bombay High Court verdict before the Supreme Court, describing the judgment as erroneous and contrary to the facts and settled law.
The Goa government has also approached the Supreme Court, seeking an enhancement of Tejpal’s sentence from 10 years to life imprisonment.
The Supreme Court’s direction to surrender within two weeks therefore comes at a crucial stage of the long-running case.
For now, Tejpal will have to surrender as directed, while his challenge to the conviction remains pending before the Supreme Court.
