PANAJI
The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred to November 5 the hearing on cross-pleas filed by former Tehelka Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal, challenging his conviction and 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence in the 2013 rape case, and by the Goa government, which has sought to enhance his sentence to life imprisonment.
A Bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale adjourned the matter after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Goa government, sought more time.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tejpal, did not oppose the adjournment but urged the court to allow his client to walk out of jail for Diwali. “If he wants to take time, he can take time. But let (Tejpal) come out during Diwali,” Sibal submitted.
Opposing the request, Mehta pointed out that Tejpal stood convicted. Sibal, however, countered, “So what? It's a reversal of the acquittal. He can come home for Diwali. Why should he be inside?”
The State opposed the plea for Tejpal's release during the festival. The Bench did not grant the relief and scheduled the next hearing for November 5.
Tejpal has challenged the August 6 judgment of the High Court of Bombay at Goa that overturned his acquittal by the trial court and convicted him of rape and other offences under the Indian Penal Code, sentencing him to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment. He was then given four weeks to surrender.
Separately, the Goa government approached the Supreme Court seeking enhancement of the sentence from 10 years' rigorous imprisonment to life imprisonment.
