HC dismisses plea seeking cancellation of R K Pachauri's bail

Delhi High Court today dismissed a woman's plea seeking cancellation of anticipatory bail granted to TERI's Executive Vice Chairman R K Pachauri, accused in a sexual harassment case, observing there was "no manifest error" in the trial court's order granting the relief.
Justice S P Garg noted that the trial court's March 21, 2015 order granting anticipatory bail to Pachauri, was based upon "fair appraisal" of materials and all relevant aspect of the matter were "considered minutely".
It observed that the petitioner, a former female research analyst of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), has failed to impress as to why Pachauri's custodial interrogation was required.

The court said while granting relief to Pachauri, the trial court had already imposed stringent conditions on him.
"The impugned order dated March 21, 2015 is based upon fair appraisal of the materials and all the relevant aspects of the matter have been considered minutely," the court said, adding, "this Court finds no manifest error in the matter of grant of bail by the trial court."
The court noted that the State had not approached it for cancellation of anticipatory bail and during the arguments on the plea moved by the women, the investigating officer had not pressed for custodial interrogation of the accused.

The court also said that "very cogent and overwhelming circumstances" were necessary for an order of cancellation of bail which has already been granted.

Referring to certain instances raised by the complainant with regard to alleged interference by Pachauri in the probe, the court said, "...It can't be inferred that he (Pachauri) had influenced the investigation or had attempted to interfere with it in any manner."
The court passed the order on the women's plea in which she had alleged that "free and fair investigation" cannot be carried out if Pachauri was "allowed to roam around freely".
Pachauri had contended there was "nothing on record" to suggest he had influenced witnesses or any other person related to the case or interfered in the probe.

Recently, police had filed a charge sheet in the case against Pachauri before a trial court for the alleged offences under several sections including 354 (outraging woman's modesty), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).
Pachauri has denied all the allegations levelled against him.