The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal to surrender within two weeks, rejecting his plea seeking exemption from surrendering while his appeal against his conviction is pending. The Court made clear that his appeal challenging the conviction and sentence would be taken up on merits only after he surrenders and files the requisite surrender certificate.

The order was passed by the bench of Justice Alok Aradhe. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tejpal, sought two weeks’ time to surrender, which the Court granted. The Court directed that if the surrender certificate is filed on or before September 22, the appeal would be listed for hearing on that date.

Tejpal had approached the Supreme Court after the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court on August 6 overturned his 2021 acquittal, convicted him for the 2013 rape of a former junior colleague and sentenced him to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment. The High Court had granted him four weeks’ time to surrender to enable him to seek relief from the Supreme Court, while declining to stay his conviction.

Also Read: Tehelka Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal Sentenced to 10 Years’ Rigorous Imprisonment in 2013 Rape Case

During the Supreme Court proceedings, Sibal argued that Tejpal had remained on bail for most of the period since the case began and that there was little purpose in requiring him to surrender before his appeal was considered. The State of Goa, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, opposed the plea, submitting that the appeal could not be heard unless Tejpal had surrendered or obtained an exemption from surrender.

The proceedings also involved the question of compliance with the Supreme Court Rules governing appeals by convicted persons, with the State arguing that a convict must either surrender and furnish a certificate or specifically obtain exemption before the appeal can proceed.

The underlying case dates back to 2013, when a former female colleague accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her inside a hotel elevator in Goa during an event organised by Tehelka. He was arrested in November 2013 and was later granted bail. A trial court acquitted him in May 2021, but the Bombay High Court reversed that acquittal earlier this month.