Hyderabad, Aug. 6 -- In a major setback to former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal, the Bombay High Court on Thursday, August 6, convicted him of raping a colleague in 2013, setting aside his acquittal by a Goa sessions court five years ago.

While Tejpal pleaded for leniency, claiming he was a "political victim" and the father of two daughters, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Goa government, demanded the maximum punishment to send a strong message that "no means no".

Justices Neela Gokhale and Amit Jamsandekar of the HC's Goa bench said they would pronounce their order on sentencing in the afternoon.

"We set aside the trial court order of acquittal. The respondent (Tejpal) stands convicted," the bench said.

Tejpal later s...