Delhi Police Files Charge Sheet Against RK Pachauri In Sexual Harassment Case

New Delhi: Delhi police has filed a charge sheet against RK Pachauri, founder of the non-profit think tank TERI in a sexual harassment case filed by his former colleague.

The police have accused Mr Pachauri of outraging modesty of woman, stalking and criminal intimidation, the Press Trust of India reported.

The charge sheet running into over 1,400 pages was filed in the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Shivani Chauhan who has fixed it for consideration on April 23.

Police has arrayed 23 prosecution witnesses, many of whom are present and former employees of TERI.

In February last year, a 29-year-old research assistant working at TERI or The Energy Research Institute accused Mr Pachauri of sexual harassment following which a First Information Report was registered. Subsequently, the TERI Board announced Dr Ajay Mathur as the new Director General replacing Mr Pachauri.

Mr Pachauri who continues to be the TERI's executive vice chairman has been sent on an indefinite leave by TERI board.

Mr Pachauri has been accused of committing offences punishable under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354 A (sexual harassment), 354 D (stalking), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code.

Dr Pachauri who is out on bail has denied the charges even as a second woman last month has made similar allegations.

"The charge sheet is based on the complainant's statements. Arguments have not been heard from the other side," Mr Pachauri's lawyer Ashish Dixit said.

The woman in the status report has sought quashing of anticipatory bail of Mr Pachauri granted by the trial court in the case on March 21 last year.

Police has said that an out-of-court settlement was proposed to the woman.