Delhi court frames molestation charges against former TERI chief R K Pachauri
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court Saturday framed molestation charges against former TERI chief R K Pachauri in a case of alleged sexual harassment lodged by his former colleague.
Metropolitan Magistrate Charu Gupta put Pachauri on trial for the offence punishable under sections 354 (outraging modesty), 354 A (making physical contact, unwelcome and sexually coloured remarks) and 509 (teasing and using vulgar gesture and actions) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The charges were framed after Pachauri, who was present in the courtroom, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Saturday framed molestation charges against RK Pachauri, renowned climate scientist and former Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), who was accused by a former colleague of sexual harassment.
Metropolitan Magistrate Charu Gupta framed the charges against Pachauri dealing with harassing a woman colleague in 2015 with intent to outrage her modesty, advances made in an unwelcome manner with explicit sexual overtures and for using words, gestures and acts intended to insult her modesty under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.
The charges were framed after Pachauri, who was present in the courtroom, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.
On February 13, 2015, an FIR was filed against Mr Pachauri based on a complaint by a woman researcher who used to work directly under the veteran climate scientist. He was granted anticipatory bail in the case on March 21, 2015.
The charge sheet in the case was filed by Delhi Police on March 1, 2016, saying there was “sufficient evidence” that prove Pachauri had sexually harassed, stalked and threatened the complainant.
“My (Pachauri) age is 78 years and me and my family are suffering from hardship. For almost last four years we are facing media trial,” advocate Ashish Dixit said on behalf of Pachauri. The next hearing in the case will take place on January 4, when the complainant will record her statement and she will be cross examined.