Tarun Tejpal surrenders before Goa court after SC refuses relief, sent to jail

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

Tejpal surrendered before the Additional Sessions Court at Mapusa, after which he was sent to Central Jail at Colvale in North Goa to begin serving his sentence.

“We are in the Supreme Court. We are sure that justice will come,” Tejpal said while heading towards jail.


The surrender came after the Supreme Court on August 25 dismissed Tejpal’s plea seeking exemption from surrendering and directed him to undergo the sentence imposed by the Bombay High Court.

A bench of Justice Alok Aradhe had directed Tejpal to surrender within three weeks and listed his appeal challenging the conviction and sentence for hearing on September 22, subject to the filing of a 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,” the Supreme Court had said.

The Bombay High Court on August 6 convicted Tejpal of raping a junior colleague inside a hotel elevator in November 2013 during an event organised by Tehelka in Goa and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment, overturning his acquittal by a trial court in May 2021.

Tejpal was convicted under several provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 376(2)(f), relating to rape by a person in a position of trust or authority, as well as Sections 354(a) and 354(b), relating to sexual harassment and assault or use of criminal force with intent to disrobe.

The High Court also imposed a fine of more than Rs 10 lakh and directed that the amount be paid to the victim. Section 376(2)(f) carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

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

While overturning the trial court's acquittal, the High Court relied on the complainant's testimony and other evidence, including CCTV footage and emails exchanged after the alleged incidents. It also criticised the trial court's approach towards the complainant's conduct, saying a survivor of sexual assault cannot be expected to behave according to stereotypes of an “ideal victim”.

Tejpal moved the Supreme Court on August 20 challenging the High Court's judgment. During the August 25 hearing, his counsel sought exemption from surrendering, citing the age of the case and his earlier period in custody. The Goa government opposed the plea, arguing that the case involved aggravated rape and warranted the sentence imposed by the High Court.

Separately, the Goa government has approached the Supreme Court seeking enhancement of Tejpal's sentence to life imprisonment, contending that the 10-year sentence was grossly disproportionate to the nature and gravity of the offences.

(With inputs from PTI)