New Delhi: Days after promoting him, the TERI governing board today asked climate scientist RK Pachauri to go on an indefinite leave pending the ongoing sexual harassment case against him in court.
The TERI governing board which has come under intense scrutiny and criticism for not protecting the rights of the woman who had made allegations against Dr Pachauri, today issued a statement after an emergency meeting.
"Dr RK Pachauri, who had been at the Head of the Institute since 1982 will be on leave from TERI, TERI Governing Council, and TERI University till this is reviewed by the Governing Council given the subjudice nature of the matter," the statement said.
The council also appointed former Competition Commission chief Ashok Chawla as the new chairman.
In February last year, a 29-year-old research assistant working at TERI had accused Dr Pachauri of sexual harassment. Subsequently the TERI Board had announced that Dr Ajay Mathur would be the new Director General replacing Dr Pachauri.
Dr Pachauri has denied the charges but this week a second woman made similar allegations.
While Dr Mathur took over this week, in a surprise announcement, the TERI board also appointed Dr Pachauri as Executive Vice Chairman leading to protests from women's rights groups and TERI university students.
Today a group of 25 women from the All India Democratic Women's Association protested outside the TERI headquarters at the India Habitat Centre in the capital.
Several students of TERI University had already said that they would not accept their degrees from Dr Pachauri at the conviction slated for the March 7.
The Delhi Police has completed its investigations and will file a chargesheet against the former TERI boss within a week.
The TERI governing board which has come under intense scrutiny and criticism for not protecting the rights of the woman who had made allegations against Dr Pachauri, today issued a statement after an emergency meeting.
"Dr RK Pachauri, who had been at the Head of the Institute since 1982 will be on leave from TERI, TERI Governing Council, and TERI University till this is reviewed by the Governing Council given the subjudice nature of the matter," the statement said.
In February last year, a 29-year-old research assistant working at TERI had accused Dr Pachauri of sexual harassment. Subsequently the TERI Board had announced that Dr Ajay Mathur would be the new Director General replacing Dr Pachauri.
Advertisement
While Dr Mathur took over this week, in a surprise announcement, the TERI board also appointed Dr Pachauri as Executive Vice Chairman leading to protests from women's rights groups and TERI university students.
Advertisement
Several students of TERI University had already said that they would not accept their degrees from Dr Pachauri at the conviction slated for the March 7.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"Felt So Dirty": Delhi Student, 22, Touched Inappropriately By Elderly Man In Metro Pakistan Woman Asked To Spend "Quality Time With Boss" For New Job Role, Company Reacts Delhi Court Summons 2 Cops In Wrestlers' Sexual Harassment Case 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing Mob Vandalised Kolkata Doctor Rape Murder Case Crime Scene? Cops Respond Ayatollah Khamenei Warns Of "Divine Wrath" If Iran Backs Down Against Israel In PM Modi's Independence Day Speech, A Call For "24x7 For 2047" Oropouche Virus Kills 2 In Brazil: All About The Rare Disease Punjab Toll Plaza Blunder: Man Charged Rs 220 While Relaxing At Home Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.