MAPUSA
Former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal’s plea seeking more time to surrender was rejected by the Additional Sessions Court at Mapusa on Friday. Following the rejection, Tejpal submitted that he would surrender on September 14 in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions.
Tejpal had approached the Mapusa court seeking an extension of the time granted to him to surrender after the Supreme Court directed him to do so in connection with the 2013 sexual assault case involving a woman journalist who was his colleague.
With his plea rejected, Tejpal is now required to surrender on September 14. Reports said he has indicated that he will surrender before the Colvale Jail authorities on that date.
The Supreme Court had earlier rejected Tejpal’s request for exemption from surrender and directed him to comply with the order so that his appeal against the conviction could be considered.
The case dates back to November 2013, when Tejpal was accused of sexually assaulting a woman colleague on two occasions inside a hotel lift during a literary festival in Goa.
The Additional Sessions Court at Mapusa acquitted Tejpal of all charges in May 2021. However, the Bombay High Court later overturned the acquittal, convicted him and sentenced him to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment.
Tejpal has challenged the High Court judgment before the Supreme Court.
His surrender is now expected to pave the way for the Supreme Court to proceed with his appeal against the conviction and sentence.
