Delhi court orders framing of sexual harassment charges against RK Pachauri

In a twist of events, a Delhi court on Friday has ordered framing of sexual harassment charges against former chief of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) RK Pachauri, in a case which was filed by an ex-colleague.

The high court has directed that the consecutive hearing of the matter will be held on 20 October 2018.

An FIR was registered against Pachauri by a 29-year-old former research analyst of TERI, in 2015. In the following months, more women levied allegations of sexual misconduct and molestation against him.

Reacting to the court’s order, the victim said in a statement, “Chuffed to bits. This has not been easy. This is a big leap towards the truth. I am relieved and exhausted fighting RK Pachauri.”

After after the case was filed against RK Pachauri, he had filed a civil suit against the media houses seeking restraint on reporting the issue. The ex TERI chief had made Bennett Coleman & Co Ltd, NDTV and India Today, as well as the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, parties to this suit — seeking a permanent injunction against any reporting on the statements made by the women. He had also filed Rs 1 crore defamation case against lawyer Vrinda Grover for allegedly making ‘false and frivolous allegations’.

Earlier this year, a civil court judge overturned an order by his predecessor, which stated that media must use disclaimers while covering the sexual harassment case against Pachauri, stating that previous order are ‘uncalled for’ and therefore, stand ‘vacated’.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has appointed a three-member panel headed by former judge to probe the alleged torture and harrowing arrest of former space scientist Nambi Narayanan in the ‘ISRO spy scandal’ which turned out to be fake.

Leading the three-judge Bench, Chief Justice Dipak Misra, awarded Nambi Narayan Rs 50 lakh in compensation for the ‘mental cruelty’ he suffered all these years. According to reports, a probe has been ordered against the SIT officers who had framed the ISRO scientist in the espionage case. Referring to the current ruling, scientist Nambi said that the compensation given to him for his sufferings will not do justice.

The absolution comes almost a quarter of century after Mr Narayanan was convicted of being a spy. Nambi Narayanan was a top scientist in the ISRO before his arrest and detention. Following this false allegations, he bagn his legal battles in various forums for his honour and justice.

Also read: Supreme Court appoints panel to look into ‘harrowing torture’ of Nambi Narayanan