India, Aug. 18 -- The Goa government on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court seeking enhancement of the sentence handed down to journalist Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 sexual assault case.

On August 6, Tejpal was convicted of rape and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for 10 years by the Bombay High Court, overturning the verdict of the trial court which had acquitted the former editor of Tehelka five years ago.

In a petition filed in the apex court, the Goa government said that the sentence pronounced by the high court was "grossly disproportionate to the nature and gravity of the offences" committed by Tejpal.

"The present case warrants enhancement of sentence to imprisonment for life, or such enhanced sentence as this court may deem appropr...