New Delhi, Nov 2026 : The Supreme Court on Friday refused to suspend the 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence awarded to former Tehelka Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 rape case, declining to grant him relief while his appeal against conviction remains pending.
A Bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale said that a preliminary examination of the evidence, including emails and messages placed on record, did not justify suspending the sentence.
“[T]he evidence adduced by the prosecution witnesses, read with the materials produced with specific reference to the emails and messages taken on record, we do not, prima facie, find it to be a fit case for suspension of sentence,” the Bench observed.
During the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tejpal, argued that the case involved the reversal of an acquittal and that sentences are ordinarily suspended in such circumstances while an appeal is being considered.
Senior advocate Siddharth Agarwal, also representing Tejpal, submitted that his client had remained on bail throughout the trial and had never misused the liberty granted to him. However, the Bench was not convinced by the arguments seeking suspension of the sentence.
Opposing the application, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Goa government, referred to an apology email allegedly sent by Tejpal to the woman after she had raised the matter with the magazine's then editor. Mehta read out the contents of the email before the court to support the state's opposition to the relief sought by Tejpal.
The latest hearing followed the Supreme Court's decision on November 3 to adjourn the matter until November 5 after the Solicitor General sought additional time. Tejpal has challenged the Bombay High Court judgment convicting him and sentencing him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. The Goa government has separately approached the Supreme Court seeking enhancement of the sentence.
At the earlier hearing, Sibal had requested that Tejpal be allowed to go home during Diwali, arguing that the reversal of his acquittal should not prevent temporary release. The Goa government opposed the request.
Background of the 2013 Case
The case relates to allegations that Tejpal sexually assaulted a junior colleague inside an elevator at a luxury hotel in Goa during an event in November 2013.
In May 2021, a sessions court acquitted Tejpal, holding that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt. The court had also pointed to alleged shortcomings in the investigation.
The Goa government subsequently challenged the acquittal before the Bombay High Court. On August 6, the High Court set aside the sessions court's decision and convicted Tejpal under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
The High Court found him guilty under Sections 376(2)(f) and 376(2)(k), relating to rape, Section 354A, concerning sexual harassment, and Section 354B, relating to assault or use of criminal force against a woman with the intention of disrobing her. It sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
Following the Supreme Court's rejection of his plea seeking exemption from surrender, Tejpal surrendered before the Additional Sessions Court in Mapusa, Goa, on September 14. He was subsequently taken to Central Jail in Colvale, North Goa, to serve his sentence.
With the Supreme Court refusing to suspend the sentence, Tejpal will not receive the requested relief while his appeal remains pending. The apex court will also have to consider the Goa government's separate plea seeking a longer prison term.
