Tarun Tejpal Surrenders in Sexual Assault Case

Former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal, who was convicted in a sexual assault case involving a former colleague, surrendered before the Mapusa court in Goa on the directions of the Supreme Court. He was subsequently taken to Colvale Jail by the police as part of his judicial custody. Speaking to the media, Tejpal said he had complete faith in the judiciary and would continue his legal battle before the Supreme Court against the Bombay High Court verdict.

A rape case was registered against Tejpal in 2013 following a complaint by a woman journalist who worked with him. She alleged that he sexually assaulted her inside a hotel elevator during the Think Fest event. The trial began before the Mapusa trial court in 2017, and Tejpal was acquitted in 2021. The Goa government challenged the acquittal before the Bombay High Court, which on August 6, 2026, convicted Tejpal and sentenced him to 10 years in prison, directing him to surrender within a month. Tejpal challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court and sought exemption from surrender. The Supreme Court directed him to surrender within three weeks for his appeal to be heard and listed the matter for further hearing on September 22. Accordingly, he surrendered before the Mapusa court on September 14.