RK Pachauri of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), has broken his silence over the allegations of sexual harassment against him by a TERI researcher.
The Guardian reported that Pachauri claims the accuser had been set up by his detractors to entrap him. However, The Guardian had also reached out to the complainant for her take on the issue, but did not publish her reply. Here are the questions that were asked, and the complainant’s response through her lawyer.
Pachauri At Fault?
- Pachauri has been continuously taking contradictory stands.
- He has not been able to prove to the Delhi Police that his emails were hacked.
- He has not only harassed through e-mails and whatsapp but has also inappropriately made physical contact.
- He threatened the complainant of dire consequences if she does not agree to his terms.
- A male researcher has told police that he was asked by Pachauri make the complainant settle the case with him.
- Pachauri has defaulted in filing replies in the matter that he filed against Bennett Coleman and was slapped with fine.
1. He has shown us emails showing he was hacked:
My client has instructed me to state that it is a blatant lie being stated by Mr Pachauri. The Delhi Police has categorically called out his bluff saying in its report that Mr Pachauri has been taking contradictory stands. [....] Shockingly, TERI as an organisation has till date not provided access to the Delhi Police to the internal server of TERI. [....] He was not able to establish before the Delhi Police that his emails were hacked.
The custodial interrogation was never given for Mr RK Pachauri. Thus, Mr. Pachauri had all the time in the world to establish before the Delhi Police that his e-mail IDs were hacked and then the police would have registered a counter FIR which did not happen. [....]
If there was a little bit of truth in the said allegations, Mr Pachauri who has been defended by designated senior advocates, could have easily taken up the issue with Courts in Delhi or senior police officials to have a thorough investigation. [....]
Read: RK Pachauri Breaks His Silence Over Sexual Harassment Allegations
2. He has emails/ texts showing that his accuser was flirting, if not making advances to him:
My client was not flirting with him or making advances to him. Not only that, the said allegation apart from being false and/or highly subjective, is contrary to his earlier allegation of e-mails being the only reason cited by Mr Pachauri to challenge the ICC report is that he was not told the identity of the witnesses and not that the complainant was allegedly flirting with him.
[....] My client has clearly stated Mr Pachauri has sexually harassed him not only through e-mails, messages, whatsapp but has also inappropriately made physical contact. He has groped her and touched her without her consent which fact is being categorically reiterated by my client by way of the present e-mail.
[....] There has been another woman complainant who came forward before the Indian media and she levelled absolutely similar allegations against Mr Pachauri. One male researcher has also come forward and stated before the police that he was asked by officials of TERI to make the complainant settle the case with Mr Pachauri.
3. He claims, but says he cannot prove, that unknown persons were targeting him politically:
[....] No one has ever approached my client to tell her to lodge a complaint against Mr Pachauri. [....] My client states that she had to take the drastic step of coming forward and lodging a complaint against the DG of TERI when she realised that Mr Pachauri threatened her that if she does not agree to his terms, then he will make it impossible for her to pursue her academic goals and professional career anywhere in the world. Mr Pachauri has lot of contacts all over the world unlike my client.
4. And he asks where his accuser has got the money to employ you:
My client categorically states that she has not paid a single penny to us as the legal fees, which is a fact. [....] My client states that her dignity lies in fighting this out ethically. Our client states that publishing any information relating to her work profile or anything that can be in a calculated way, lead to her identity being disclosed, would be extremely wrong. She states that Mr Pachauri should not be making such sweeping statements which can lead to disclosure of her identity. With regard to funding the cost, well, only designated senior advocates have been appearing on almost all the dates on behalf of Mr Pachauri which is of importance. Press in India as stated to our client that there was a PR firm hired by Mr Pachauri. She states that she can also question as to who is paying for those senior advocates or that PR Firm. My client further states that Mr Pachauri has defaulted in filing replies in the matter that he filed against Bennett Coleman and was slapped with fine. Who is footing those bills?
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