RK Pachauri to be Charged for Sexual Harassment of Former TERI Colleague
An FIR was registered against Pachauri by a colleague in 2015, and more women leveled allegations of sexual misconduct against him in the months that followed
New Delhi, Sept 14: A Delhi court has ordered the framing of charges in the alleged sexual harassment case against RK Pachauri, former Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), by a former colleague.
Metropolitan Magistrate Charu Gupta ordered framing of charges under sections 354 (outraging her modesty), 354 A (making physical contact, unwelcome and sexually coloured remark) and section 509 (teasing and using vulgar gesture and actions) of the Indian Penal Code.
The court, however, discharged him of certain other sections and said that it will formally frame the charges on October 20.
Reacting to the court’s order, Pachauri said, “I don’t want to comment on the matter. I am out of the country.”
The complainant expressed satisfaction over the development.
“I am relieved. It is a big leap towards the truth. This has not been easy at all. It’s been a long wait,” said the complainant.
The next hearing in the matter will take place on October 20.
Another court had in February dismissed a suit by Pachauri urging it to stop media from reporting anything other than court proceeding. He had filed the suit following telecast of a news report by a private channel where a woman and a lawyer had made certain comments about him.
An FIR was registered against Pachauri by a colleague in 2015, and more women leveled allegations of sexual misconduct against him in the months that followed.
