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Informist, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026

 

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Friday issued a notice to the state of Goa on an appeal by Tarun Tejpal, former editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine, against a Bombay High Court's order to convict and sentence him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in a 2013 sexual assault case. Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tejpal, said it was a case where the acquittal was reversed by the high court. "This is a case of reversal; there is a right of appeal, I have surrendered," Sibal said.

 

On Aug. 25, the Supreme Court had directed Tejpal to surrender in three weeks and file a surrender certificate before the court. The apex court had rejected Tejpal's application seeking exemption from surrender.  

 

A woman journalist had alleged that Tejpal had sexually assaulted her in a hotel elevator on Nov. 7, 2013, and Nov. 8, 2013. In 2021, a trial court had acquitted Tejpal of all the charges, observing that the complainant "did not demonstrate any kind of normative behaviour" that a victim of sexual assault "might plausibly show". The trial court had held that there was no medical evidence and the woman's messages to the accused clearly established that she was neither "traumatised nor terrified" and that this "completely belies" the prosecution's case. Challenging the trial court's order, the Goa government had moved the high court. 

 

The high court convicted Tejpal under various sections of the Indian Penal Code dealing with rape, molestation, and other offences. Some of these sections carry a punishment of 10 years while others carry a sentence of three-five years. Since the sentences will run concurrently, the larger sentence of 10 years will be applicable to Tejpal, the court said. In addition, Tejpal has been ordered to pay the fine under these sections to the victim. 

 

Challenging the high court's order on sentencing and conviction, Tejpal had moved the top court. The Goa government also moved the top court seeking life imprisonment for Tejpal.  End

 

Reported by Surya Tripathi

Edited by Deepshikha Bhardwaj

 

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