SC rejects Tejpal surrender plea, orders 2-week surrender

The Supreme Court of India on August 25, 2026, rejected a plea from former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal seeking exemption from surrendering to serve a sentence for sexual assault, ordering him to surrender within two weeks. The court directed that his appeal against the conviction will only be heard after he provides proof of surrender.

A bench led by Justice Alok Aradhe delivered the order, stating that Tejpal must surrender to jail authorities and file a surrender certificate. If the certificate is submitted on or before September 22, the court will list his criminal appeal for a hearing on that date. The decision came after hearing arguments from both sides on whether Tejpal could be allowed to remain free while his appeal is considered.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Tejpal, argued that his client should be exempted from surrendering. Sibal noted that Tejpal had been on bail for most of the period since the incident in 2013, except for the first six months, and is now a senior citizen. He contended that the court has the power to dispense with the surrender requirement in appropriate cases and that the merits of the appeal warranted consideration.