Tarun Tejpal Urges Supreme Court To Grant Interim Bail In Rape Case For Diwali
Gursimran Kaur Bakshi
3 Nov 2026 7:46 PM IST
The Supreme Court today(November 3) stated that it will hear the application filed by Tehelka Magazine's former editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal for interim bail in the rape case for Diwali on November 5.
A bench comprising Justice MM Sundresh and Justice PB Varale has been hearing Tejpal's plea challenging the Bombay High Court's judgment sentencing him to ten years' imprisonment for the rape of a colleague in 2013. The State of Goa has also filed an appeal seeking life imprisonment for him.
When the matter was taken up today, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta(for the State of Goa) sought an adjournment and requested that the matter may be taken up post Diwali vacations. However, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal(for Tejpal) objected to the adjournment. Alternatively, he argued that interim bail may be granted to Tejpal till Diwali and the Court can hear on merits after he surrenders.
Justice Sundresh then stated the Court can hear parties on the suspension of sentence but then SG Mehta said it may not be taken up today. Sibal, responding to this, said: "If he[State of Goa] wants to take time, let him take time. I may be out for Diwali, and then I will go back subject to your lordships order. This is a case of reversal."
"I would oppose," SG Mehta said.
The Court then kept the matter to be heard on Thursday.
Background
The Bombay High Court's Goa bench, comprising Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar, had on August 6 overturned Tejpal's acquittal by the trial court and convicted him in the 2013 case. The court subsequently sentenced him to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment.
The High Court criticised the Trial Court for discrediting the victim's version by referring to her alleged post-incident conduct. The High Court underscored that there is no concept of a "perfect rape victim", and different women process trauma in different ways.
The High Court had noted that the incident took place 13 years ago and that there was no report of any subsequent criminal misconduct by Tejpal. It consequently declined the Goa government's request for the maximum punishment of life imprisonment and imposed the minimum sentence prescribed for the rape conviction.
The case arose from allegations that Tejpal sexually assaulted a junior colleague inside an elevator at a luxury hotel in Goa during an event organised by Tehelka in November 2013. The Goa Sessions Court had acquitted him in 2021, following which the State challenged the acquittal before the Bombay High Court.
The High Court convicted Tejpal under provisions of the Indian Penal Code relating to rape, sexual harassment and assault with intent to disrobe. The rape provision under which he was convicted carried a minimum punishment of 10 years and permitted a sentence extending to life imprisonment.
