INDIAN OFFICIAL AT UN FACES MISCONDUCT INVESTIGATION

A UN entity working for empowering women has said a staff member has been under investigation following allegations of sexual misconduct.

But the body, UN Women, refused to share details of the case, saying, “We cannot confirm nor deny the subject’s name and we cannot comment on any specifics of the case, as that could harm the investigation and disciplinary process.”

The UN indirectly confirmed details of the case as reported by Newsweek magazine, which identified the official as Ravi Karkara and said he had worked for Lakshmi Puri, who was formerly UN assistant secretarygeneral for intergovernmental support and strategic partnerships at UN Women.

“I would not dispute any of the information contained in the Newsweek article,” UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said in response to an email request for confirmation of the identity of the official.

Newsweek identified Karkara, a senior advisor, citing an activist who was an alleged victim, and whose complaint led to the investigation. It said Karkara had been accused by at least eight men of using his official position to sexually harass them.

The Guardian reported independently that sources who worked with Karkara alleged he had “abused his position of power to take advantage of young people who feared speaking out against the honour of an organisation they aspired to be a part of”.

Neither publication was able to get a reaction from Karkara.

He is an Indian national but not an Indian government official or a diplomat at the permanent mission to the UN.

WASHINGTON: