Pachauri summoned as accused by court

New Delhi, May 14

Former TERI chief RK Pachauri was today summoned as accused by a Delhi court which took cognisance of a chargesheet filed against him for allegedly sexually harassing and outraging the modesty of an ex-colleague.

“The court is satisfied that there is sufficient material to proceed against accused RK Pachauri. Cognisance taken accordingly ... Let the accused be summoned for the next date i.e. July 11," Metropolitan Magistrate Shivani Chauhan said.

The Delhi Police had on March 1 filed an over 1,400-page chargesheet in the court against Pachauri under sections 354-A (sexual harassment), 354-B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 354-D (stalking), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 341 (wrongful confinement) of the IPC.

"Chargesheet perused. Heard. There are allegations against the accused that he made sexually coloured remarks upon the complainant on several occasions. He touched the complainant inappropriately despite a clear expression of disapproval from her side. He sent inappropriate SMSes and WhatsApp messages to the complainant," the Metropolitan Magistrate said.

The chargesheet arrayed 23 prosecution witnesses, many of whom are present and former TERI employees. Pachauri was granted an anticipatory bail in the case on March 21 last year.

On February 13 last year, an FIR was registered against Pachauri on charges of sexual harassment under IPC sections 354, 354(a), 354(d) (molestation) and 506 (criminal intimidation). PTI