Top officials from The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) reportedly approached two employees close to the complainant to ask her to settle out of court.
Also Read: Exclusive: Two TERI Employees Told to get Complainant to Back Off
The Quint spoke to the junior researcher from TERI who has filed a written complaint with the Delhi Police stating he was asked to reach out to the complainant to convince her to settle out of court. The researcher resigned after the incident and the second employee, who the complainant claims was also coerced, does not wish to speak to the media.
Senior officials at TERI contacted me in July 2015 and asked me in a hush-hush manner to speak to the complainant. They wanted me to ask her to agree to an out of court settlement. I have filed a statement with the Delhi Police on 12 January 2016 and I am ready to depose before court. I also resigned from my job at TERI because of the inappropriate manner in which I was approached.
The former junior researcher has also said that Pachauri did not just return to TERI but was also given a promotion with more executive powers at his disposal.
It is appalling to see that senior people in the organisation are behaving like ostriches by burying their heads in the sand and pretending as if nothing has happened. Rather than removing him (Pachauri) to ensure free and independent investigation, he was promoted.
The Quint had earlier reported that TERI employees were divided over the sexual harassment scandal. With the new revelation made by the former employee, a written complaint with the Delhi Police and his willingness to testify in court, the scales are heavily tipped against Pachauri.
It is for the Court to decide guilt. All I am saying is that the method of asking for reconciliation by approaching me is questionable, unprofessional and incorrect.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)