Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Journalist Tarun Tejpal has moved an application before the North Goa Additional Sessions Court concerning his surrender, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s recent direction in the 2013 rape case involving his former junior colleague.
The Supreme Court on August 25, 2026, directed Tejpal to surrender within three weeks after his appeal against the 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence. The apex court said his appeal would be heard after the certificate confirming his surrender is filed, on or before September 22, 2026.
The matter stems from the High Court order of August 6, 2026, convicting Tejpal in the rape case and sentencing him to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment.
The State of Goa, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, had argued that Tejpal must first surrender before his appeal could be listed before the Supreme Court. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tejpal, argued that his client’s appeal should instead be listed for hearing first.
On August 24, Justice Alok Aradhe had observed that unless suitable orders were passed on Tejpal’s application seeking exemption from surrender, his appeal could not be listed before the Supreme Court.
The State had opposed the exemption plea, relying on the Supreme Court Rules, 2013. Mehta argued that the Rules were mandatory and that Tejpal’s appeal could not be listed until he surrendered.
