Supreme Court Lists Tarun Tejpal’s Plea Against 10-Year Sentence In 2013 Rape Case For Final Hearing On Nov 3

The Supreme Court has posted for final hearing the plea filed by former Tehelka magazine editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal challenging the Bombay High Court judgment sentencing him to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment in a 2013 rape case.

The Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale took up the matter today and posted the same fore final hearing on November 3, 2026.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appeared for Tejpal, while Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the State of Goa.

SG Mehta told the bench that the state's reply had been filed and the matter could be posted for final hearing. Sibal requested for a short date.

On the last hearing, court had issued notice to the state of Goa. Sibal had then submitted that the case involved reversal of an acquittal by the High Court and pointed out that Tejpal had surrendered pursuant to the High Court’s directions.

In August, Justice Alok Aradhe led bench had directed Tejpal to surrender within three weeks and file a surrender certificate by September 22, following which his appeal was to be heard on merits.

Tejpal had been acquitted by the trial court in 2021 in connection with the alleged rape of a colleague at a hotel in Goa in 2013. The Bombay High Court subsequently overturned the acquittal and convicted him, sentencing him to 10 years’ imprisonment.

The State of Goa has also approached the Supreme Court seeking enhancement of Tejpal’s sentence to life imprisonment, while not challenging the finding of conviction.

Background

The Goa government also approached the Supreme Court seeking enhancement of the 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence awarded to the Tehelka founder in the 2013 sexual assault case.

The move came days after the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court convicted Tejpal and sentenced him to 10 years in prison on August 6, overturning his acquittal by the trial court in 2021. The High Court had also directed the 63-year-old journalist to surrender before the Goa Police within four weeks.

The case dates back to November 2013, when a junior Tehelka employee accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her inside a hotel elevator at a Goa resort during the magazine’s annual Thinkfest event. Tejpal was prosecuted under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including provisions relating to rape and assault or criminal force against a woman.

The trial court had acquitted him in 2021. However, while overturning the acquittal, the High Court described the trial court's judgment as “perverse” and criticised its approach to assessing the complainant's testimony, particularly the expectation that a survivor should behave like a “perfect victim” to be considered credible.

A complaint was filed against Tejpal for sexually assaulting his colleague in a hotel in Goa in November 2013. Tejpal was charged with offences punishable under Sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 354 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage modesty), 354-A (sexual harassment), 354-B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 376(2)(f) (person in a position of authority over women committing rape) and 376(2)(k) (rape by a person in a position of control) of the IPC.

He was acquitted by the trial court in May 2021, following which the State of Goa challenged the acquittal before the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court. On Thursday, the High Court allowed the State's appeal, convicted Tejpal and sentenced him to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment.

Case Title: Tarunjit Tejpal v. State of Goa

Bench: Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale

Hearing Date: October 15, 2026