Harassment case against Pachauri: Complainant gives more evidence

NEW DELHI: The complainant in the sexual harassment case against Rajendra Pachauri has cited over half a dozen alleged instances of harassment at the hands of the 75-year-old scientist. The alleged incidents recounted in a statement to a magistrate by the 29-year-old research analyst are in addition to evidence she submitted to the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of The Energy and Resources Institute and the Delhi Police.

Pachauri is on leave as director-general of Teri after the scandal surfaced. “A detailed statement of the complainant was recorded by the Ld MM u/s 164 CrPC in which she specifically corroborated the allegations leveled by her in the complaint and also revealed certain other details which is required to be investigated in length” according to a Delhi Police report submitted to a court hearing Pachauri’s bail application.

The complainant also handed over evidence – consisting of two mobile phones, a laptop besides, handwritten notes and alleged gifts from Pachauri – to the Delhi Police for investigation on Tuesday evening. The victim has kept a record (videographed and clicked photos) of the evidence consisting message (SMS and Whatsapp msgs) and emails. There are over 6,000 such messages as per her complainant.

Armed with the evidence, the police is now likely to question Pachauri who is said to be back home from a hospital where he was being treated for various ailments. Meanwhile, the governing council of Teri – where the alleged victim worked in Pachari’s office – met recently to discuss the fallout of the affair. An internal mail marked ‘confidential’ and recounting the outcome of the meeting said the organisation was bigger than any individual.

“We had our governing council meeting and I thought I could convey to you their strong belief in the institution, its robust systems, transparency, accountability and research ability across all divisions. They further have stated that the institution is larger than any individual and hence the council reposed full faith in Dr Leena Srivastava as the interim director-general with the committee of directors to manage all affairs of the Institute till the matter with Dr Pachauri is resolved”.

The Economic Times was the first to report, on February 18, the complaint of sexual harassment by the research analyst against the Teri director. The complaint was converted into an FIR the day ETstory was published. Pachauri stands booked on charges of sexual harassment, stalking and criminal intimidation. A Delhi court has protected him from arrest till March 27, while restraining him from entering Teri, contacting the complainant or witnesses in the case or leaving the country without prior permission of the court.