Tejpal challenges rape sentence, Goa seeks life term; SC asks both sides to reply

The Supreme Court issued notice on Tarun Tejpal's appeal against his rape conviction and 10-year sentence, as well as Goa's plea seeking enhancement of the sentence to life imprisonment. Tejpal has sought suspension of his sentence, while the court is expected to hear both petitions on October 15.

In Short

• Tejpal challenges Bombay High Court's 10-year jail sentence and seeks suspension
• Goa government appeals for life imprisonment instead of 10 years
• Bombay High Court convicted Tejpal for aggravated rape in 2013 Goa incident

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice on two petitions arising from Tarun Tejpal’s rape conviction and 10-year jail sentence, with the former Tehelka editor-in-chief challenging the Bombay High Court verdict and seeking suspension of his sentence, while the Goa government has sought enhancement of the sentence to life imprisonment.

The bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale issued notice to the Goa government on an appeal filed by Tarun Tejpal challenging his conviction and seeking suspension of his jail sentence.

At the same time, the bench also issued notice to Tejpal on a plea filed by the Goa Police seeking enhancement of the sentence imposed on him.

The High Court of Bombay at Goa on August 6 overturned the trial court verdict that had acquitted Tejpal in 2021. It convicted him of aggravated rape and related offences and sentenced him to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment.

The case arose from allegations that Tejpal sexually assaulted a junior woman colleague inside a hotel elevator in Goa during an event in November 2013.

Tejpal surrendered before a court in Mapusa on September 14 and was subsequently taken to the Central Jail at Colvale in Goa, after the Supreme Court declined to hear his appeal until he surrendered before the jurisdictional court.

In his plea, Tejpal has argued that the High Court did not properly consider the evidence and overturned the acquittal order passed by the trial court.

The state of Goa, meanwhile, has approached the Supreme Court seeking a life sentence for Tejpal, on the grounds that the case involved aggravated assault and that the High Court imposed the minimum sentence prescribed under the law for such an offence.

During the brief hearing before the bench on Friday, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Tejpal, sought a speedy hearing of the matter, arguing that Tejpal had already surrendered and that the issue of suspending the sentence while the appeal was pending needed to be heard.

The bench, however, observed that it was merely issuing notice on both petitions for now and would give a hearing date in the written order.

At the time of publication of this story, the order had not yet been uploaded. However, the Supreme Court website indicated a tentative hearing date of October 15.

- Ends