The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), which has been in news for all the wrong reasons after its executive vice chairman (EVC) RK Pachauri was allegedly embroiled in a sexual harassment case, has reportedly decided to sever ties with him. The decision to pay all dues to Pachauri and remove him from the institute before the end of his work contract was taken earlier this week by TERI's governing council, according to the Hindu.
Pachauri's term with the council expired on March 31 and it will not be renewed. Pachauri, who previously served as the director general with the institute, was made the EVC — a position created just for him — will no longer be a part of the institute in any way.
"As his (Pachauri) membership as a governing council member has not been renewed so the post (of Executive Vice Chairman) created for him also goes. His contract with the organisation (TERI) was to end next July but the Council has decided to end it and honour it by paying the remainder of the tenure to him (Pachauri)" a governing council member requesting anonymity told the Economic Times.
In 2015, Pachauri was accused of sexually harassing a female researcher since 2013. Two other female employees, including a foreign national, also levelled similar accusations against him. A chargesheet was filed against Pachauri by the Delhi Police in March, almost a year after the alleged harassment cases were reported.
He was charged with outraging the modesty of a woman, stalking and criminal intimidation, Press Trust of India reported. SMSes and emails between Pachauri and the victim were analysed before filing the chargesheet, investigating officer Pratibha Sharma was quoted as saying by PTI. Witnesses were also examined before the 1,400 page chargesheet was filed in March 2016.
