The Supreme Court on November 3 deferred the hearing on former Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal’s request for interim bail during Diwali to November 5. The Goa government opposed his temporary release.
Tejpal has challenged the Bombay High Court’s August 6 judgment, which overturned his acquittal in the 2013 rape case and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. The Goa government has separately approached the Supreme Court seeking enhancement of the sentence to life imprisonment.
A bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale was informed that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Goa, needed additional time.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Tejpal, requested temporary release during the festival, stating:
"If he wants to take time, he can take time. But let him come out during Diwali."
Opposing the request, Mehta told the Court:
"I would oppose."
Sibal further questioned why Tejpal should remain in custody when his conviction followed the reversal of an earlier acquittal.
