Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Nov 4: The Supreme Court on Tuesday deferred to November 5 the hearing on cross-pleas filed by former Tehelka Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal, who has challenged his conviction and 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence in the 2013 rape case, and the Goa government, which has sought to enhance his sentence to life imprisonment.

A Bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale adjourned the matter after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Goa government, sought more time.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tejpal, did not oppose the adjournment but urged the court to allow his client to leave jail during Diwali. Opposing the request, Mehta pointed out that Tejpal had been convicted. The Goa government also opposed the plea for his release during the festival.

The Bench did not grant the request and scheduled the next hearing for November 5.

Tejpal has challenged the August 6 judgment of the Bombay High Court at Goa, which overturned his acquittal by the trial court and convicted him of rape and other offences under the Indian Penal Code. The High Court sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and granted him four weeks to surrender.

Separately, the Goa government has approached the Supreme Court seeking enhancement of the sentence from 10 years of rigorous imprisonment to life imprisonment.