Former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal surrendered before the North Goa Sessions Court in Mapusa on Monday and was taken into custody to begin serving his 10-year rigorous imprisonment in the 2013 rape and sexual assault case.
Tejpal was taken to the central jail at Colvale in North Goa after surrendering before the court. His surrender came after the Supreme Court rejected his plea seeking exemption from surrender while his appeal against the conviction is pending.
Bombay High Court overturned acquittal
On August 6, the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court convicted Tejpal in the case involving a junior colleague who had alleged that he sexually assaulted her inside a hotel lift in Goa in 2013 during the magazine’s annual ‘Think’ festival.
The High Court overturned the trial court’s earlier acquittal and sentenced Tejpal to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
The court convicted him under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 376(2)(f) and 376(2)(k) for rape, besides provisions relating to sexual harassment, assault with intent to disrobe and wrongful confinement.
Supreme Court rejects relief
Tejpal had approached the Supreme Court seeking exemption from surrender until his appeal was heard. The top court rejected the plea and directed him to surrender before the concerned court.
A subsequent request to postpone his surrender on the ground that Monday was a public holiday was also rejected by the North Goa Sessions Court.
As he was taken into custody, Tejpal said, “I just want to say we are in the Supreme Court and are sure that justice will come.”
Ten-year sentence
The Bombay High Court awarded him 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed fines of Rs 5 lakh each for the two rape convictions. It also awarded separate sentences and fines for the other offences, with the sentences to run concurrently.
As a result, Tejpal will serve a maximum of 10 years in prison.
