TERI's internal panel finds RK Pachauri guilty of sexually harassing colleague

RK Pachauri, former TERI chief, has been found guilty of sexually harassing a junior colleague by the organisation’s internal panel. According, to a report on The Hindustan Times, the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) also noted that when the woman resisted, Pachauri had retaliated by ’taking away her work’. The panel’s conclusion is damning evidence of the fact that Pachauri was indeed in the wrong and this development will make it impossible for him to assume charge back as TERI chief anytime soon. [caption id=“attachment_2266806” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  RK Pachauri. AFP.[/caption] After the allegations of sexual harassment had surfaced and a criminal case filed against him on 13 February this year, Pachauri had initially refused to step down, saying that he wanted 'the truth to win'.  However, following pressure from activists, he had to quit. He also had to quit from the UN panel on climate after he was implicated in the case. “I have had enough… I know what I am up against. It is not going to be easy but I am not going to quit. I want truth to win,” she told The Economic Times. The Hindustan Times report: “Several of Pachauri’s emails, as attached by the woman in her complaint to TERI, go “beyond the professional space,” found the ICC, that comprised three women. Upon a detailed review of all messages exchanged between Pachauri and the woman, the ICC found that the accused’s behavior was “causing her discomfort and harassment.” Pachauri, Director General of TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), was a member of the Council since its inception in 2007 during the tenure of Manmohan Singh . Modi had re-nominated him to the Council last year.   (With inputs from agencies)