The surrender followed a Supreme Court order directing him to do so before his appeal against the conviction is taken up for hearing. Former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal surrendered before the Mapusa court in Goa on Monday in connection with the 2013 rape case.
The Supreme Court subsequently directed him to surrender within three weeks. Tejpal had sought an exemption from surrendering, arguing that his appeal should be listed and heard by the Supreme Court first. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Tejpal, submitted that the Court has the authority to waive the surrender requirement in appropriate cases and list a criminal appeal even if the accused has not surrendered.
The case relates to allegations by a female journalist, who accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her inside a hotel elevator on November 7 and 8, 2013. Tejpal was arrested on November 30, 2013, in connection with the allegations. The single-judge bench agreed to list his criminal appeal on September 22, subject to him furnishing the surrender certificate by that date.
Last month, the Supreme Court rejected Tejpal’s plea seeking exemption from surrendering until his petition challenging the Bombay High Court judgment convicting him was listed before the top court. A bench headed by Justice Alok Aradhe also directed Tejpal to submit the surrender certificate before the Court.
Court Evaluates Tejpal’s Exemption Request
Justice Aradhe noted that the Court is currently reviewing Tejpal’s request for exemption from certain legal obligations. The Court possesses the authority to grant such relief, which is a critical aspect of the ongoing proceedings.
Solicitor General of India (SGI) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the State of Goa, opposed the plea and argued that the application seeking exemption should be considered on the merits of the case. He referred to the Bombay High Court’s findings and submitted that the matter involved an aggravated offence of rape, for which Tejpal was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
