HC refuses to cancel immediately Pachauri's anticipatory bail

The court said that the application (for cancellation of Pachauri's bail) should not come in the way of trial court proceedings

The Delhi High Court today refused to cancel immediately the anticipatory bail granted by a trial court to TERI Director R K Pachauri in an alleged sexual harassment case lodged by a woman research analyst.

Justice S P Garg posted the matter for July 16 after the counsel for Pachauri sought more time to file response to the application move by the 29-year-old woman, who has alleged that "free and fair investigation" cannot be carried out if Pachauri is "allowed to roam around freely".

"Let them (Pachauri and Delhi Police) file their responses then we will think over it. There is no point of cancelling the bail application immediately," the court said.

It added that, "This application (for cancellation of Pachauri's bail) should not come in the way of trial court proceedings."

The judge made the observations after the complainant's counsel, advocate Prashant Mendiratta, informed the court that Pachauri has even filed an application seeking modification of trial court's order that bars him from entering The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) premises.

The court further said, "We will see about this (Pachauri's plea to enter TERI premises) at later stage."

"Police seeks time to file status report. Let both the parties file status report in four weeks. List the matter for further hearing on July 16," the court said.

Senior advocates Dayan Krishnan and Ramesh Gupta opposed the woman's plea, saying that it should not be entertained and the trial court has granted anticipatory bail on merits.

The complainant had moved the High Court seeking cancellation of the anticipatory bail granted to Pachauri by the trial court in the case.

The complainant's counsel alleged before the court that Pachauri was "dictating what needs to be said to witnesses" in the case.

He claimed there was "overwhelming evidence" against Pachauri that he misused the bail conditions.

A criminal case on charges of sexual harassment, stalking and criminal intimidation was registered against Pachauri on February 18 by the police.