Pachauri fumes at reports stating 'sufficient evidence' against him in sexual harassment case

Riled at media reports stating that the court has 'sufficient evidence' in the sexual harassment case against him, former The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) chief R.K. Pachauri on Monday said that the Delhi Court had merely taken cognizance of the 'allegations' in the chargesheet, adding nothing has been substantiated in an year-long investigation so far.

He said that the court had nowhere stated there is 'sufficient evidence' against him, adding that taking cognizance of the chargesheet was a 'routine practice'.

"It is stated that Hon'ble Court has only taken cognizance of the 'allegations' in the charge sheet. It is nowhere stated by Hon'ble Court that there is 'sufficient evidence' against Dr. Pachauri. This is routine practice in the Courts where allegations are filed against anyone. I again reiterate the contents of charge sheet are the allegations leveled by the complainant and nothing has been substantiated after yearlong investigation," a statement released on Pachauri's behalf said.

Asserting that he had complete faith in country's justice delivery system and assuring his full cooperation in the ongoing trial, Pachauri said he was confident that 'falsity of allegations' against him would be proved.

"It also stated that there are no witnesses whatsoever from TERI who have corroborated allegations of the complainant. The Hon'ble Court in its wisdom and without any arguments from Dr. Pachauri's counsel has dropped Section 506 IPC from charge sheet which prima facie manifests the falsity of allegations. The copy of charge sheet would be supplied to me on 11.07.2016 in terms of the order of the Court," the statement said.

"I reiterate that I have done no wrong and this fact shall be proved in Court of law," it added.

The former TERI chief has been summoned as an accused by a Delhi court in a sexual harassment case. The court took cognizance of a chargesheet filed against him for allegedly sexually harassing and outraging the modesty of an ex-colleague.

The court also noted that he allegedly sent inappropriate SMS and WhatsApp messages to the complainant.

The court fixed July 11 as the date to supply copy of chargesheet to the accused.

Earlier, the Delhi Police had filed a chargesheet against Pachauri under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) dealing with assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty, sexual harassment, stalking, criminal intimidation and word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman.

The police have cited around 23 prosecution witnesses and several SMS texts, e-mails and WhatsApp messages exchanged between the accused and victim as evidence to support their case.

Pachauri has been charged with sexual harassment by a woman researcher, who used to work directly under him and later resigned from her job as she felt 'let down' by TERI. She has now moved to another organisation.