Former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal must surrender or secure an exemption from the Supreme Court before his appeal against his conviction and 10-year jail term in the 2013 sexual assault case can be heard, the Goa government told the Supreme Court on Monday.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Goa government, made the submission before justice Alok Aradhe, who was considering Tejpal’s appeal in the chamber list, where matters are taken up for preliminary or procedural consideration before being placed before a regular bench. The Goa government has separately approached the Supreme Court seeking enhancement of the sentence to life imprisonment. The government has also challenged the high court’s direction that the sentences for the two aggravated rape offences run concurrently, arguing that the alleged assaults took place on successive days and involved separate criminality.
The state has not challenged the conviction but has argued that the 10-year sentence is grossly disproportionate to the gravity of the offences.
Justice Aradhe, after hearing the submissions, said he would pass an appropriate order.
