File photo of RK Pachauri, who has quit as IPCC chairman
The United Nations has said it will not inquire into allegations of sexual harassment against RK Pachauri, who resigned as the chairman of its Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on Tuesday.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon received a letter from Dr Pachauri informing him of his decision to step down with immediate effect, a spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, told reporters.
Dr Pachauri, 74, has been accused by a researcher at his Delhi-based The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) of sexually harassing her soon after she joined the non-profit think-tank in September 2013. He has denied the charges.
Asked if the UN would start a separate inquiry into the allegations against Dr Pachauri, Ms Dujarric said, "We have seen the press reports of the case and I understand the case is being investigated by national authorities and that is where it stands."
The spokesperson said the UN chief had thanked Dr Pachauri for his "dedicated leadership" of the IPCC over the last 13 years.
"Pachauri's leadership has been critical in increasing the world's understanding of the true nature of climate change. He has also played a leading role in mobilizing international action to address one of the defining issues of our time," Ms Dujarric said.
In his letter to the UN Secretary-General, Dr Pachauri wrote that "under the current circumstances" he may be unable to ensure the "strong leadership and dedication of time and full attention by the chair" needed by the climate change panel.
"I have, therefore, taken the decision to step down," he wrote. His think-tank TERI also said on Tuesday that he had gone on leave.
Dr Pachauri collected the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 when the IPCC shared the award with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore.
Findings by the IPCC are the main guide for action by almost 200 governments which aim to agree a UN deal to limit climate change at a Paris summit in December. The panel completed a set of mammoth reports last year, the first since 2007.