Supreme Court Refuses To Suspend Tarun Tejpal’s 10-Year Sentence In 2013 Rape Case

Kapil Sibal had sought relief for Diwali, but the Supreme Court said no, and Tejpal stays in jail while his appeal against conviction remains pending

PGurus Newsdesk

November 6, 2026

SC REFUSES TO SUSPEND TARUN TEJPAL'S 10-YEAR JAIL TERM

The bench said that on a prima facie view of the evidence, no case was made out for suspending the sentence

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to suspend the 10-year sentence handed down to journalist Tarun Tejpal in a 2013 rape case, dismissing his application and leaving the former Tehelka editor in jail through Diwali.

A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale heard detailed submissions from senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tejpal, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Goa government. The bench then said it did not consider it a good case for suspension of sentence and that, on a prima facie view, it was not inclined to grant relief.

The bench said a prima facie reading of the evidence, particularly the reference to Tejpal’s emails and messages, showed no case for suspending the sentence. Earlier this week, Sibal had urged the court to allow Tejpal to return home for Diwali.

The Bombay High Court’s Goa bench convicted Tejpal on August 6 and sentenced him to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment. The ruling reversed the 2021 acquittal by a Goa trial court. Tejpal moved the Supreme Court on August 20 to challenge the High Court order, and his appeal against the conviction remains pending.

Tejpal, 62, was convicted of raping a junior colleague in a hotel elevator during an event organised by the magazine in Goa in 2013. He has claimed that he is a victim of political vendetta.

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