Tarun Tejpal surrenders in Goa court to serve 10-year sentence

Former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal surrendered before a Goa court on Monday to begin serving his 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence in a 2013 sexual assault case.

The surrender followed the Supreme Court's August 25 direction to Tejpal to surrender within three weeks and undergo his 10-year prison sentence after his conviction by the Bombay High Court. A Supreme Court bench of Justice Alok Aradhe had rejected his plea seeking exemption from surrender.

Tejpal appeared before the Additional Sessions Court at Mapusa and was subsequently sent to Central Jail at Colvale in North Goa to serve his sentence.


The Supreme Court has listed his appeal challenging the conviction and sentence for hearing on September 22, subject to the filing of the surrender certificate.

"In case the surrender certificate is filed on or before September 21, 2026, the registry shall list the criminal appeal for hearing on September 22, 2026 before the regular court," it had said.

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

Tejpal was convicted under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 376(2)(f), relating to rape committed by a person in a position of trust or authority, 354(a), concerning sexual harassment, and 354(b), relating to assault or use of criminal force with intent to disrobe. Section 376(2)(f) carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

The High Court also imposed a fine of more than Rs 10 lakh and directed that the amount be paid to the victim.

Tejpal was arrested in November 2013 and remained in custody for several weeks before being granted bail.

The trial was conducted before the Additional Sessions Court at Mapusa, which acquitted Tejpal of all charges in May 2021, holding that the prosecution had failed to establish the case beyond reasonable doubt.

The Goa government challenged the acquittal before the Bombay High Court, arguing that the trial court had erred in its assessment of the evidence.

After a prolonged hearing, the High Court on August 6 allowed the state's appeal and set aside the acquittal.

While overturning the trial court verdict, the High Court relied significantly on the woman's testimony and other evidence, including CCTV footage and emails exchanged after the alleged incidents.

The High Court also criticised the trial court's approach towards the complainant's conduct, saying that a survivor of sexual assault cannot be expected to behave according to stereotypes of an "ideal victim".

The High Court rejected Tejpal's defence that the allegations were part of an attempt at extortion or character assassination and held that his position of authority over the woman was relevant to the case.

Tejpal moved the Supreme Court on August 20 challenging the High Court's August 6 order convicting him in the case.

The Goa government, meanwhile, has approached the Supreme Court seeking an enhanced sentence for the former Tehelka editor, arguing that the case warranted imprisonment for life.

In its petition before the apex court, the Goa government has contended that the sentence imposed by the High Court is grossly disproportionate to the nature and gravity of the offences committed by Tejpal.