Surrender within 3 weeks, SC tells ex-Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal

The Supreme Court has ordered former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal to surrender within three weeks, according to a statement from New Delhi. His appeal against his conviction and 10-year prison sentence in a rape case will only be considered after he surrenders. Justice Alok Aradhe rejected Tejpal's request for exemption from surrendering and instructed him to provide a surrender certificate before any further proceedings.

Tejpal's legal team, represented by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, requested a three-week window for Tejpal to surrender. However, the Goa government opposed his plea for exemption from surrendering, stating that his appeal was not admissible as he had not filed a separate application seeking exemption or provided a certificate confirming his surrender as per Order XXII Rule 5 of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013.

The conviction and sentencing in the case were handed down by the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court, which found the victim's evidence consistent and credible despite extensive cross-examination. The high court sentenced Tejpal to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment under Sections 376(2)(f) and 376(2)(k) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), with the sentences to run concurrently.

The case involves alleged incidents of sexual assault at the Grand Hyatt in Goa during Tehelka's THiNK Fest in November 2013. Tejpal is accused of assaulting a junior colleague twice in the elevator of a high-end hotel in Goa. The Goa Police subsequently registered an FIR against Tarun Tejpal.