The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected former Tehelka Editor-in-Chief Tarun Tejpal’s plea seeking exemption from surrender in connection with the 2013 rape case.

The court directed Tejpal to surrender within three weeks. His appeal challenging the Bombay High Court’s conviction and 10-year prison sentence is to be taken up subject to compliance with the surrender requirement.

The Bombay High Court’s Goa bench had convicted Tejpal on August 6 and sentenced him to 10 years in prison, overturning his acquittal by a trial court in 2021.

What happened in the Supreme Court

During Tuesday’s hearing, the Goa government argued that Tejpal’s appeal could be heard only after he surrendered and submitted the required surrender certificate.

The Supreme Court rules require a person challenging a conviction to surrender before the appeal is heard, although an exemption from surrender can be sought.

Tejpal’s lawyer, Kapil Sibal, argued that the Bombay High Court had already stayed the operation of the conviction and that requiring him to surrender again would not be appropriate. Sibal also said Tejpal was prepared to go into custody if the Supreme Court did not grant relief.

Tarun Tejpal case

The case dates back to 2013, when a female journalist accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her inside a hotel elevator during an event in Panaji.

Tejpal was arrested on November 30, 2013, and was later charged under provisions of the Indian Penal Code relating to rape, sexual harassment and wrongful confinement. He pleaded not guilty.

In May 2021, the Goa Sessions Court acquitted Tejpal, holding that the prosecution had failed to establish the case beyond reasonable doubt. The Goa government subsequently challenged that decision before the Bombay High Court.

The Bombay High Court later overturned the acquittal and convicted Tejpal, sentencing him to 10 years in prison.

The Goa government has also approached the Supreme Court seeking enhancement of the sentence.

Delhi is witnessing another spell of heavy rain on Tuesday, a day after intense showers caused widespread waterlogging and traffic disruption across the national capital. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Delhi, warning of heavy rain along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.

According to an IMD update issued at 6:45 am, heavy rainfall was likely over Delhi during the following two to three hours. Moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and winds of 30-40 kmph was also expected at many places, while heavy rain was likely at a few locations.

The alert covers several districts, including Central Delhi, East Delhi, New Delhi, North Delhi, North East Delhi, North West Delhi, Shahdara, South Delhi, South East Delhi, South West Delhi and West Delhi.

Delhi Airport flight operations remain normal

Despite the adverse weather forecast, flight operations at Delhi Airport are currently normal, according to a passenger advisory.

The advisory said that inclement weather conditions were expected in the vicinity of the airport but confirmed that flight operations remained normal at the time of the update.

However, the situation was different on Monday when heavy rain and adverse weather affected flight operations. A total of 15 flights were diverted from Delhi Airport, including three international flights.

Of the 15 diverted flights, 12 were sent to Jaipur, two to Chandigarh and one to Lucknow.

What caused Delhi’s intense rainfall?

An IMD scientist, Dr Shashi Kant, attributed the intense rainfall to the interaction of two different air masses.

According to him, dry northerly winds were moving into Delhi from the north, while moisture-laden easterly winds associated with a low-pressure area forming near West Bengal were flowing from the Bay of Bengal.

The interaction between these air masses resulted in high-intensity rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms over Delhi.

Gurugram faces severe waterlogging

Neighbouring Gurugram also witnessed severe waterlogging on Monday following around an hour of rain.

Several key areas were affected, including Rajiv Chowk, IFFCO Chowk, Railway Road, Sector 5, Old Delhi Road, Mehrauli Road and Basai Road.

Visuals showed school buses stranded on submerged roads, while motorists were seen dragging their vehicles through waterlogged stretches.

Following the disruption, the Gurugram administration asked offices to allow employees to work from home. Schools were also asked to conduct classes through online mode.

Delhi rain alert: What is the latest update?

The IMD has issued a red alert for Delhi, with heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds expected across several parts of the capital.

The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department has temporarily suspended the food licences of Amazon, Instamart and BigBasket over the sale of datura fruits and seeds on their platforms for human consumption.

The action followed complaints regarding the sale and online listing of datura products on the platforms. The department had earlier ordered an inquiry into the matter.

During its investigation, the authority found datura fruits and seeds displayed for sale on various e-commerce platforms. In some cases, the products carried FSSAI licence or registration numbers despite being toxic and posing a serious health risk if consumed.

The investigation also found packets containing datura fruits and seeds bearing food licence or registration numbers. The products were reportedly stored in warehouses and offered for sale or distribution through online platforms.

What the companies told the regulator

Representatives of the companies appeared before the authority during the proceedings.

According to the order, Amazon did not submit a response, while Instamart sought additional time to submit documents regarding the action it had taken.

BigBasket said it had stopped the online sale of the fruits. It also said it would correct the labelling in the future to clearly state that the products are “Not for human consumption”.

The regulator, however, found the responses and explanations unsatisfactory and said that storing, selling or distributing the products as food was impermissible.

Licences of suppliers also suspended

The department has directed the concerned authorities to temporarily suspend, until further orders, the food licences issued to Amazon, Instamart and BigBasket.

The suspension can be reversed following a hearing if the platforms submit a response.

The licences and registrations of suppliers and sellers providing the products to the three online platforms have also been ordered to be suspended with immediate effect.

The order further directs the concerned food business operators to immediately remove or suspend online listings and advertisements offering datura fruits or seeds for food or human consumption.