TERI founder RK Pachauri has been accused of sexual harassment by a second woman.
A chargesheet will be filed against noted environmentalist Dr RK Pachauri in the
sexual harassment case within two weeks, the Delhi Police has told the High Court.
At the court -- which was hearing an appeal against Dr Pachauri's bail plea on Thursday -- the Delhi Police also said it has interrogated two of the three senior TERI officials who have been accused of trying to get a friend of the woman to persuade her to settle the case out of court.
The woman has asked the court that
Dr Pachauri's bail to be cancelled, claiming that he was influencing witnesses and pressurizing TERI staff not to cooperate with the police.
The officials, the police said, have admitted to "casually speaking" to a male colleague of the 27-year-old researcher as they were "concerned about the image of the institution". They have denied that they were acting under orders of Dr Pachauri.
TERI's senior director Sanjai Joshi has admitted to talking with (male colleague of complainant), but had insisted it was a "casual conversation". Dr Reena Singh claimed that she did not try and influence the victim and was "only listening and reacting to (the male colleague's) comments," the police said.
In his reply to the court,
Dr Pachauri has denied the allegations and accused the woman of trying to sensationalise the case.Recently, a male colleague of the woman had come forward and complained to the police that he had been pressurized to get the victim to settle the case. Both TERI and Dr Pachauri's advocate have denied his allegations as well.
After an internal inquiry following last year's sexual harassment charge, the world famous scientist was removed from the top post of TERI. But recently, TERI appointed a new chief but created a new post for Dr Pachauri - Executive Vice-Chairman.
The controversy over the appointment had increased with another woman coming forward yesterday to allege that he was a repeat offender and TERI students refusing to accept their degrees from Dr Pachauri, who is the chancellor.