New Delhi, August 25, 2026

The Supreme Court on Tuesday made it clear that former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal must surrender before his appeal against his conviction in the 2013 rape case can be heard. Refusing to grant him exemption from surrendering, the court directed Tejpal to report to jail within two weeks and submit a certificate confirming his surrender.

A bench of Justice Alok Aradhe issued the direction while hearing Tejpal’s plea seeking exemption from surrender following the Bombay High Court’s decision to convict him and sentence him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Goa government, opposed the plea and argued that a convict challenging a sentence must either surrender and provide proof or seek a formal exemption. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Tejpal, opposed the requirement, arguing, “There is no point sending him in for 5 days and then his appeal being heard.”

When Justice Aradhe asked how much time Tejpal would need to surrender, Sibal requested two weeks, which the court accepted. The Supreme Court said that if Tejpal submits his surrender certificate by September 22, his appeal will be listed for hearing on that date. Tejpal had approached the apex court after the Bombay High Court, on August 6, overturned his 2021 acquittal and convicted him of rape, sexual harassment and assault with intent to disrobe in connection with allegations involving a junior colleague during a Tehelka event in Goa in November 2013.

Meanwhile, the Goa government has separately approached the Supreme Court seeking to enhance Tejpal’s 10-year sentence to life imprisonment. The High Court had declined to award the maximum punishment, citing the 13-year gap since the incident and the absence of any reported subsequent criminal misconduct. With the Supreme Court now insisting on his surrender, Tejpal’s challenge to his conviction will move forward only after he complies with the court’s direction and furnishes the required certificate.