New Delhi, 06 November (H.S.): The Supreme Court has refused to suspend the 10-year prison sentence awarded to former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal in a rape case involving his former colleague. A Bench headed by Justice M. M. Sundresh declined to grant his application seeking suspension of the sentence pending the hearing of his appeal against conviction.

The Supreme Court had issued a notice to the Goa government on September 25 while hearing Tejpal’s petition. During the proceedings, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tejpal, submitted that his client had surrendered before the authorities. He also pointed out that the High Court had granted a four-week stay on the operation of the sentence.

Tejpal has challenged the judgment of the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court before the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the Goa government has also approached the apex court, seeking an enhancement of his sentence. Citing the gravity of the offence, the state government has sought life imprisonment for Tejpal.

The Goa government has challenged the Bombay High Court’s decision to award Tejpal concurrent 10-year terms of rigorous imprisonment for two offences. In its appeal, the state argued that the passage of time should not be treated as a ground for granting leniency to a convicted person. On August 25, while hearing the Goa government's petition, the Supreme Court had directed Tejpal to surrender.

On August 6, the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court overturned the trial court’s order acquitting Tejpal and convicted him in the case. The High Court subsequently sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. While determining the sentence, the High Court observed that the incident had taken place 13 years earlier and that there was no information indicating any subsequent criminal conduct by Tejpal during the intervening period.

The Supreme Court’s latest decision means that Tejpal’s 10-year sentence will remain in force while his challenge to the conviction is pending.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar