PANAJI
In a major setback to former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal, the Supreme Court on Friday refused to suspend his 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence in the 2013 rape case, paving the way for him to undergo the jail term.
A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale declined to grant relief to Tejpal after hearing submissions from senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the journalist, and the Goa government.
During the hearing, Sibal urged the court to allow Tejpal to return home for Diwali, stating, "If he wants to take time, he can take time. But let him come out during Diwali." However, the bench said it was not inclined to suspend the sentence.
Tejpal had approached the Supreme Court on August 20, challenging the Bombay High Court's August 6 verdict convicting him and sentencing him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. The High Court had overturned the trial court's acquittal of Tejpal, who was accused of raping a junior colleague inside a hotel elevator during an event organised by Tehelka in Goa in 2013.
The Goa government has also moved the Supreme Court seeking enhancement of Tejpal's sentence. The apex court had issued notices on both petitions.
