RK Pachauri: Delhi court orders framing of charges against former TERI chief

A Delhi on Friday ordered framing of charges in a molestation case filed against former TERI chief RK Pachauri by his ex-colleague. A former research analyst of TERI had registered an FIR with Delhi Police against Pachauri alledging sexual harassment at the workplace in 2015.

Former TERI chief RK Pachauri. Photo: File

NEW DELHI: A Delhi on Friday ordered framing of charges in a molestation case filed against former TERI chief RK Pachauri by his ex-colleague. A former research analyst of TERI had registered an FIR with Delhi Police against Pachauri alledging sexual harassment at the workplace in February 2015. In February 2015, Pachauri was booked on charges of sexual harassment under IPC sections including 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354 (d)(molestation) and 506 (criminal intimidation). Metropolitan Magistrate Charu Gupta ordered framing of charges under sections 354, 354 A and section 509 (teasing and using vulgar gesture and actions) of the Indian Penal Code. The court, however, discharged him of certain other sections and said that it will formally frame the charges on October 20. Over 1,400-page charge sheet was filed by Delhi Police on March 1, 2016, saying there was "sufficient evidence" against Pachauri that he had sexually harassed, stalked and threatened the complainant. A supplementary charge sheet was filed in March 2017 after the police said it retrieved several deleted emails and chats exchanged between the accused and the complainant. The final report had said that deleted SMS and WhatsApp chats, text messages, retrieved from the cell phones, computer hard disks and other devices, were "not fabricated". The charge sheet, which was filed a year after the former research analyst of TERI lodged the complaint, had said Pachauri had committed offences under sections 354 of IPC by outraging her modesty, 354A by making physical contact, unwelcome and sexually coloured remarks, 354D as he followed her through emails and messages. Besides these, sections 506 (threat) and 509 (teasing and using vulgar gesture and actions) were also included. Pachauri has denied all the allegations against him. On February 13, 2015 an FIR was registered against him and he was granted anticipatory bail in the case on March 21. (With inputs from PTI)