SC directs Tejpal to surrender within three weeks, rejects plea for exemption

PTI, August 25, 2026, New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed journalist Tarun Tejpal to surrender within three weeks to undergo his 10-year prison sentence in a 2013 rape case in which he was convicted by the Bombay High Court. 

A bench of Justice Alok Aradhe dismissed Tejpal's plea seeking exemption from surrendering. "The application seeking exemption from surrendering is rejected. However, the appellant (Tejpal) is granted three weeks' time to surrender and file surrender certificate before this court," the bench said in its order.

The apex court listed his appeal challenging his 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 said. 

Tejpal, former editor of Tehelka, was convicted of raping a junior colleague inside a hotel elevator in 2013 during an event organised by the magazine in Goa. Earlier, the 62-year-old journalist had claimed that he was a political victim. On August 6, the High Court convicted Tejpal of rape and sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for 10 years, overturning his acquittal by the trial court five years ago. 

During the hearing on Tuesday, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tejpal, said the incident was of 2013 and the journalist had earlier spent around six months in jail in the case. "He (Tejpal) has throughout been on bail since then. The High Court has directed him to surrender within four weeks. This court may fix the main appeal for hearing on August 31," he said.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Goa government, said the High Court has given him four weeks to surrender only to enable him to file an appeal and application for exemption from surrendering. "Merit is a relevant consideration in this case. It is a 10-year sentence for aggravated rape," the top law officer said.

Countering Mehta's submissions, Sibal said: "It is not a rape at all".

"How much time do you (Tejpal) need to surrender," the bench asked Sibal and senior advocate Aman Lekhi, who also appeared for Tejpal.

Sibal urged the bench to list the main appeal for hearing as early as possible.

Tejpal's plea was listed in chamber matters, where cases are taken up for preliminary or procedural directions and then placed before a regular bench for hearing