Today, former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal surrendered before a Mapusa court in Goa in connection with the 2013 rape case, complying with the Supreme Court’s direction.

The 63-year-old journalist had been given three weeks by the Supreme Court to surrender before his appeal against the conviction is taken up for hearing. The deadline ends tomorrow.

On August 6, the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court convicted Tejpal and sentenced him to 10 years in prison for raping a former colleague in 2013. The High Court overturned his acquittal by the trial court in 2021. Tejpal has denied the allegations and maintained that he is a victim.

Last month, the Supreme Court rejected Tejpal’s plea seeking exemption from surrendering until his appeal against the Bombay High Court judgment was listed for hearing.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tejpal, had argued that the Supreme Court had the power to waive the surrender requirement in appropriate cases and hear a criminal appeal even if the accused had not surrendered.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Goa government, opposed the plea. He relied on the Bombay High Court’s findings and argued that the case involved an aggravated offence of rape for which Tejpal had been sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.

Under the Supreme Court Rules, an accused is generally required to surrender before challenging a conviction before the top court. A surrender certificate must also be submitted.

With his surrender, Tejpal has complied with the Supreme Court’s direction and can now pursue his appeal against the Bombay High Court’s conviction and sentence.