New Delhi, 25 September (H.S.): The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Goa government while hearing a petition filed by former Tehelka journalist Tarun Tejpal challenging the 10-year sentence imposed on him in a case involving the rape of his former colleague. A Bench headed by Justice M.M. Sundresh directed that the notice be issued.

During the hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tarun Tejpal, said that his client had surrendered. He also submitted that the High Court had stayed the sentence for four weeks. Tejpal has challenged the order of the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court. The Goa government has also filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking enhancement of Tejpal’s sentence. Citing the seriousness of the case, the Goa government has sought a life sentence for Tejpal.

The Goa government has challenged the decision of the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court, which sentenced Tejpal to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment on each of the two counts, to be served concurrently. The Goa government has argued that the passage of time cannot be treated as a mitigating factor in favour of the convict. While hearing the Goa government’s petition, the Supreme Court on August 25 had directed Tejpal to surrender.

On August 6, the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court had set aside the trial court’s order acquitting Tarun Tejpal. However, the High Court sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. The High Court had observed that the incident had occurred 13 years earlier and that there was no information indicating that Tejpal had committed any criminal act during the intervening period.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar