SC refuses to suspend Tehelka ex-editor Tarun Tejpal's jail sentence
What's the story
The Supreme Court has refused to suspend the 10-year jail sentence of former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal. This decision comes as he challenges his conviction by the Bombay High Court in a 2013 rape case. The court was hearing Tejpal's plea against the August 6 judgment of the Bombay High Court, which overturned his earlier acquittal by a trial court in 2021.
Defense argument
Flaws in investigation, defense arguments
Tejpal's senior advocate Kapil Sibal questioned the victim's claim that elevator doors remained shut during the alleged assault.
He cited technical evidence showing the doors opened twice in a span of two minutes and nine seconds.
Sibal also alleged flaws in the investigation, including failure to seize CCTV footage that could confirm whether elevator doors had opened.
Opposition stance
Goa government opposes plea for suspension of sentence
The Goa government has opposed Tejpal's plea for suspension of his sentence.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta referred to messages and an apology email sent by Tejpal to the victim after the incident.
However, Sibal countered that this apology was drafted by then Tehelka editor Shoma Chaudhary and did not constitute an admission of rape.
Sentence enhancement
Goa government moves SC for enhancing Tejpal's sentence
The Goa government has also moved the Supreme Court seeking to enhance Tejpal's sentence to life imprisonment.
The case revolves around allegations of sexual assault on a junior colleague in a hotel elevator during a Tehelka event in November 2013.
A trial court had acquitted him in 2021, but the Bombay High Court later convicted him and sentenced him to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment.