Supreme Court refuses to suspend Tarun Tejpal's 10-year jail term

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to suspend the 10-year prison sentence handed to journalist Tarun Tejpal in connection with a 2013 rape case.

A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale was hearing Tejpal's plea seeking suspension of his sentence.

After hearing arguments from lawyers appearing for Tejpal and the Goa government, the bench said it was not inclined to grant him relief.


On August 6, the Bombay High Court convicted Tejpal of rape and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, setting aside his acquittal by a trial court five years earlier.

The case dates back to 2013, when Tejpal, then editor of Tehelka magazine, was accused of raping a junior colleague inside a hotel elevator in Goa during an event organised by the publication.

The 62-year-old journalist has maintained that he was a victim of political vendetta.

Tejpal approached the Supreme Court on August 20, challenging the High Court's conviction and sentence.

(With PTI inputs)