Supreme Court Refuses to Suspend Tejpal’s 10-Year Sentence

The Supreme Court on November 6 refused to suspend Tarun Tejpal’s 10-year prison sentence in a 2013 rape case, keeping him in custody while it considers his challenge to the conviction. The justices also rejected his request for interim release over Diwali, while agreeing to hear appeals concerning both his conviction and the sentence imposed by the Bombay High Court. A bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and P.B. Varale said its preliminary review of prosecution evidence, including witness testimony and messages and emails on record, did not justify suspending the sentence. The ruling addressed interim relief, not the merits of the appeals. The Supreme Court did not determine whether the conviction should stand. Tejpal’s lawyers argued that CCTV footage and technical evidence about the hotel elevator contradicted the complainant’s account of the alleged assault. They said the footage showed the lift doors opening during the period in question. The Goa government’s lawyer, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, referred to an apology email and messages between Tejpal and the complainant in opposing suspension of the sentence. The court had directed Tejpal to surrender after the High...