Mumbai: Former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal on Thursday sought leniency after the Bombay High Court overturned his acquittal in the 2013 sexual assault case and convicted him of rape and outraging the modesty of a former colleague.

Appearing before the court ahead of sentencing, the 62-year-old journalist pleaded for mercy, saying he saw himself as a victim.

"I'm 62, and I believe I'm a victim," Tejpal told the court while urging it to take a lenient view during sentencing.

The High Court set aside the trial court's acquittal, holding Tejpal guilty of raping a former junior colleague inside the lift of a five-star hotel in Goa during the ThinkFest event in November 2013.

The case stems from allegations by the woman, then a junior colleague at Tehelka, who accused Tejpal of sexually assaulting her in a hotel lift during the magazine's annual event. The trial court had acquitted him, but the Goa government challenged the verdict before the High Court.

Allowing the state's appeal, the High Court reversed the acquittal and convicted Tejpal of rape and outraging the modesty of the complainant. The court is expected to hear arguments on the quantum of sentence separately.