The Supreme Court on Friday issued notices in two matters arising from the conviction and sentencing of former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal in a 2013 sexual assault case, directing responses and saying a specific hearing date will be fixed.
Two notices on appeals against sentence
The bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and P.B. Varale issued one notice on a petition filed by Tejpal challenging his 10‑year sentence and a second notice on a separate appeal filed by the Goa government seeking enhancement of that sentence, according to reports.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Tejpal, told the bench that the matter concerns a reversal of acquittal by the Bombay High Court and urged that Tejpal’s bail application be heard. Sibal said Tejpal had surrendered and that the high court had suspended the sentence for four weeks to enable an appeal to the top court.
“This is a case of reversal, there is a right of appeal, I have surrendered. The High Court itself has suspended the sentence for four weeks,” the counsel told the bench.
The bench said it would issue notice on both the pleas and would give a specific date for hearing the matter.
State seeks harsher punishment
The Goa government, through Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, said the charge against Tejpal is one of rape and urged the court to consider enhanced punishment. The state argued that the offence warranted more than the 10‑year term awarded by the Bombay High Court.
“Rape never takes place for years and only one day is enough,” the Solicitor General was reported to have told the court.
The bench indicated it would hear the state’s appeal together with Tejpal’s petition.
Background and current procedural posture
On August 6, the Bombay High Court’s Goa bench overturned a trial court acquittal and convicted Tejpal of rape, sentencing him to rigorous imprisonment for 10 years. The conviction related to an allegation that Tejpal had sexually assaulted a junior colleague inside a hotel elevator during an event organised by the magazine in Goa in November 2013.
On August 25, the Supreme Court directed Tejpal to surrender within three weeks to begin serving the sentence and dismissed his plea seeking exemption from surrender. Following that order, Tejpal surrendered before the trial court; reports say his surrender took place on September 14.
Tejpal was convicted under multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 376(2)(f) (rape by a person in a position of trust or authority), Section 354(a) (sexual harassment) and Section 354(b) (assault or use of criminal force with intent to disrobe). Under Section 376(2)(f), the maximum sentence can extend to life imprisonment.
What the appeals seek
Tejpal’s petition in the Supreme Court challenges the high court’s overturning of the trial court acquittal and contests the conviction and sentence. The Goa government’s appeal seeks an enhanced sentence, arguing that the facts of the case and the nature of the offence warrant sterner punishment.
The top court said it will list the matters for hearing after issuing notices; the bench did not accept a request to hear the case as early as next week, saying it would set a date soon.
Key dates in the case
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Alleged incident in Goa elevator | November 2013 |
| Trial court acquittal | 2021 |
| Bombay High Court conviction and 10‑year sentence | 6 August 2026 |
| SC direction to surrender | 25 August 2026 |
| Reported surrender to trial court | 14 September 2026 |
| SC issues notices in both appeals | 25 September 2026 |
Legal significance and next steps
The Supreme Court’s decision to issue notices is a routine but decisive procedural step that allows interested parties to file responses and for the court to set a schedule for hearing. The combined listing of the state’s appeal and the convict’s challenge means the top court may consider both arguments together when it hears the matter.
The bench indicated it will announce a specific hearing date after issuing the notices. No further orders were pronounced on Friday, and the court did not dispose of either petition at the hearing.
- Current position: Notices issued; hearing date to be fixed by the Supreme Court.
- Parties: Accused (Tarun Tejpal) challenging conviction and sentence; Goa government seeking enhanced punishment.
- Charges: Conviction under IPC sections including 376(2)(f), 354(a) and 354(b).
Court files will determine the timetable for submissions and the eventual hearing in the Supreme Court.
