Supreme Court Seeks Goa's Reply on Tarun Tejpal's Appeal Against Rape Conviction

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the State of Goa on an appeal by former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, who is challenging a Bombay High Court judgment sentencing him to 10 years' imprisonment in a 2013 rape case.

A Bench headed by Justice M.M. Sundresh admitted the appeal at a brief hearing. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tejpal, described the matter as one involving a reversal of conviction and prison sentence, and told the court that his client had already surrendered.

On August 25, the Supreme Court had directed Tejpal to surrender within three weeks. A Single-Judge Bench of Justice Alok Aradhe had said his appeal would be taken up once the certificate of his surrender was filed in the Supreme Court on or before September 22, 2026.

Tejpal's appeal comes after a separate petition by the State of Goa seeking enhancement of his punishment to life imprisonment. The State has argued that the 10-year sentence is manifestly inadequate and "grossly disproportionate to the nature and gravity of the offence", while clarifying that it does not seek to reopen the High Court's findings on merits. It has also contended that the sentences should not have been directed to run concurrently.

The Bombay High Court had on August 6 sentenced Tejpal to 10 years' imprisonment, setting aside a five-year-old Goa sessions court decision that had acquitted him. The High Court described the trial court's 2021 order as "perverse".

During the High Court proceedings, Tejpal sought leniency, claiming he was a "political victim" and the father of two daughters. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Goa, had pressed for the maximum punishment to send a strong message.

Tejpal was convicted of raping a junior colleague inside a hotel elevator in 2013 during an event organised by the magazine in Goa.