Panaji: Former journalist Tarun Tejpal surrendered before Goa Police on Monday. The police took him to Colvale jail in North Goa. Following the Bombay High Court’s decision in the 2013 rape case, Tejpal has to face 10 years of imprisonment. Before leaving for jail, he said that he is not going to accept defeat and will continue his fight against this decision in the Supreme Court.
Why did the need to surrender arise?
The reason behind this entire incident is the Supreme Court’s order of 25th August. Tejpal had challenged the Bombay High Court’s decision in the apex court and sought immediate relief. The Supreme Court did not give relief at that time. The court made it clear that for the appeal to be heard, first Tejpal will have to surrender and his certificate will have to be given in the court.
This means that now the matter had to move forward only after going to jail. On Monday, Tejpal appeared before the police and after completing the necessary procedures, he was taken to Colvale jail.
What did Tejpal say before going to jail?
Tejpal said that he will knock on the door of the Supreme Court again. He expressed confidence in getting justice. He said that the legal fight against the High Court decision is still pending.
It is clear from his stance that despite being sent to jail, the matter is not over for him. Now further hope lies in the appeal filed in the Supreme Court.
When was matter started?
This matter is of November 2013. A case was registered after Tejpal was accused of raping his junior female colleague at a resort in Goa. Tejpal was arrested in November 2013 after the incident. Within about a year he got bail from the Supreme Court.
After this the matter continued in the court. After a long hearing, Tejpal was acquitted by the Sessions Court of Goa in 2021.
How was the decision of the Sessions Court changed?
The Goa government was not satisfied with the decision of the Sessions Court. The state appealed against the acquittal in the Bombay High Court. Hearing this appeal, the Goa bench overturned the lower court’s decision on August 6.
The High Court convicted Tejpal and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. The sentences given for different crimes were directed to run concurrently.
Did the High Court immediately send him to jail?
It did not happen. The High Court had given four weeks time to Tejpal to surrender. During this time he got a chance to go to the Supreme Court. Tejpal approached the apex court during the same period and sought relief on the High Court’s decision.
But on August 25, the Supreme Court directed him to surrender first. After this, on Monday he surrendered before the police.
What is the demand of Goa government?
The state government has also approached the Supreme Court in the matter. The Goa government wants Tejpal’s 10-year sentence to be increased to life imprisonment. Interestingly, the state government has not challenged the conviction of the High Court. His demand is only for increasing the punishment period.
What will happen next in Tejpal’s case?
After the surrender, the way for his appeal in the Supreme Court will now open. The court has already said that the appeal will be listed after the surrender certificate is filed. The High Court’s decision will be challenged by Tejpal, while the Goa government will present its stand on the demand for increasing the punishment.
