The Supreme Court has declined to grant former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal interim bail for the Diwali period and refused to suspend his 10-year prison sentence in a 2013 rape case.
A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale passed the order while considering Tejpal’s plea seeking suspension of his sentence. After hearing arguments from his lawyers and the Goa government, the court said it was not inclined to grant relief to the journalist.
Tejpal had sought temporary relief during Diwali while his challenge to the Bombay High Court’s judgment remained pending before the Supreme Court.
Case relates to alleged assault inside Goa hotel elevator
The case stems from a 2013 incident in which Tejpal was accused of sexually assaulting a junior female colleague inside a hotel elevator in Goa. The alleged incident took place during an event organised by Tehelka magazine.
On August 6, the Bombay High Court overturned the trial court’s acquittal of Tejpal, convicted him of rape and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. The trial court had acquitted the former editor five years earlier.
Tejpal challenged conviction in Supreme Court
The 62-year-old journalist approached the Supreme Court on August 20, challenging the Bombay High Court’s verdict and the sentence imposed on him.
Tejpal has maintained that he was targeted as part of a political vendetta. Through his legal challenge, he is seeking relief against the High Court’s judgment.
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