Tarun Tejpal Asked By Supreme Court To Surrender In Two Weeks - NDTV

**Supreme Court Orders Media Entrepreneur Tarun Tejpal to Surrender Within Two Weeks**

New Delhi – On Monday, the Supreme Court of India issued a directive requiring former media baron Tarun Tejpal to surrender to the authorities within two weeks, setting a deadline of September 22. The order comes as the apex court rejected Tejpal’s petition for urgent relief that sought to stay his conviction and ten‑year imprisonment for the 2013 rape of a junior colleague at *Outlook* magazine. The court’s decision re‑affirms the lower‑court judgment that found Tejpal guilty and ordered his incarceration, while also underscoring the principle that a convicted person must comply with the terms of the sentence pending any successful appeal.

During the hearing, Tejpal’s counsel argued that the conviction was “flawed” and that the petitioner should be allowed to remain out of custody while the appeal was being heard. The bench, however, noted that the conviction had already been upheld by the Delhi High Court and that there were no extraordinary circumstances justifying a stay of surrender. The Supreme Court therefore denied the request for interim relief and instructed the petitioner to present himself to the prison authorities in Delhi by the stipulated date. The ruling also mandated that the prison officials inform Tejpal’s legal team of the surrender schedule.

The decision has drawn comments from the Goa state government, which has questioned the maintainability of Tejpal’s appeal and urged a swift enforcement of the court’s order. Legal analysts note that while Tejpal retains the right to challenge the conviction further, the surrender requirement limits his ability to remain at liberty during the pendency of the appeal. The case continues to be closely watched, both for its high‑profile nature and for the broader implications it holds for accountability in India’s media and legal arenas.