Supreme Court seeks Goa government response to Tarun Tejpal's appeal

The Supreme Court on Friday (September 25, 2026) sought Goa Police’s response on former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal’s appeal against conviction and 10-year sentence by Bombay High Court in 2013 rape case.

A Bench comprising Justices M. M. Sundresh and P. B. Varale also issued notice to Tejpal on a Goa government plea seeking enhancement of his sentence.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tejpal, submitted that it was a case where the acquittal was reversed by the High Court and urged that his bail plea be heard in the matter.

“This is a case of reversal, there is a right of appeal, I have surrendered. The High Court itself has suspended the sentence for four weeks,” Mr. Sibal said.

The Bench said it will give a specific date for hearing the matter.

On August 6, the Bombay High Court convicted Tejpal of raping a junior colleague in November 2013 during an event organised by the magazine in Goa and sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for 10 years, overturning his acquittal by the trial court five years ago.

On August 25, the Supreme Court had directed Tejpal to surrender within three weeks to undergo his 10-year prison sentence. A Supreme Court Bench of Justice Alok Aradhe had dismissed Tejpal’s plea seeking exemption from surrendering.

Tejpal surrendered before a Goa court on September 14, to serve his 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence.