The Supreme Court adjourned Tarun Tejpal's conviction appeal until November 5. The delay leaves his Diwali release request contested by the Goa government.Stock photo used for illustrationNewdelhi,Nov 3, 2026 19:30 ISTThe Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned until November 5 the hearing on journalist Tarun Tejpal's plea challenging his conviction and 10-year prison sentence in a 2013 rape case, the Press Trust of India reported.A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale deferred the hearing after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Goa government, sought an adjournment.Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tejpal, requested the court to allow him to return home during Diwali. "If he wants to take time, he can take time.
But let him come out during Diwali," Sibal submitted. Mehta opposed the request and said the Goa government would contest it, according to PTI.The Supreme Court had earlier issued two notices over Tejpal's sentence.
One was sent to the Goa Police on his petition challenging the 10-year prison term, while the other was issued to Tejpal on the Goa government's plea seeking a longer sentence. On August 6, the Bombay High Court convicted Tejpal of rape and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
The court overturned a trial court's decision five years earlier to acquit the former editor of Tehelka magazine.Tejpal was convicted of raping a junior colleague in a hotel lift during an event organised by the magazine in Goa in 2013. The 62-year-old journalist had earlier claimed that he was a political victim.
He was convicted under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 376(2)(f), which covers rape by a person in a position of trust or authority, Section 354(a) on sexual harassment and Section 354(b) on assault or use of criminal force with the intent to disrobe. The maximum punishment under Section 376(2)(f) is life imprisonment.Tejpal moved the Supreme Court on August 20 to challenge the Bombay High Court's August 6 order convicting him and sentencing him to 10 years in prison.
The hearing on his plea will now be held on November 5.- Ends