The Goa government has filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking that the sentence given to journalist Tarun Tejpal for raping and sexually harassing a junior colleague be increased from ten years to life imprisonment, Bar and Bench reported on Tuesday.

The government clarified that it does not wish to reopen or challenge the findings recorded by the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court. Instead, relying upon these findings, it pointed out “that the sentence imposed is manifestly inadequate”.

On August 6, the High Court set aside the 2021 sessions court verdict that had acquitted Tejpal. It held him guilty under the Indian Penal Code sections pertaining to rape by a person holding trust or authority, rape by a person who is in a position of control or dominance over a woman, sexual harassment and criminal force against a woman with an intent to disrobe her.

The court had asked him to surrender within two weeks.

Tejpal, the former editor-in-chief of Tehelka magazine, was accused of raping a junior colleague in an elevator in 2013. He had been arrested in November 2013 and was in jail for seven months before being granted bail by the Supreme Court in July 2014.

After Tejpal’s conviction, his lawyer urged the High Court to show leniency in sentencing, saying the offence was committed 13 years ago.

The journalist had also addressed the court and sought a lighter sentence. He was quoted as saying by The Indian Express: “I am 62 and I believe I am a victim. I have a wife. There’s not much else to say.”

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the state, opposed Tejpal’s plea for leniency, saying that “a precedent must be set”. The court “must give out a clear message to society that when a girl says no, it means no”, Mehta had said.

Edited by Sneha.

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