NEW DELHI (Web Desk) – RK Pachauri has quit a UN panel on climate change following allegations of sexual harassment against him.
A UN statement said, “Rajendra Pachauri steps down as chair of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.”
He had earlier gone on leave from The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
The TERI director general, accused of sexually harassing a woman employee, was on Monday granted interim protection from arrest till February 26 by a trial court. Considering Pachauri’s anticipatory bail plea, the court also issued notice to investigating officer (IO) of the case and sought his response on Pachauri’s application by February 26.
Pachaur’s lawyer sought anticipatory bail on grounds of his illness and on merits of the case.
To this, the court inquired about Pachauri’s health and asked his counsel what kind of illness does Pachauri have. Appearing for Pachauri, senior advocate Sidharth Luthra said, “We have submitted all the medical records regarding his illness which include cardiac issues and UTI.”
Pachauri moved the trial court for relief following the direction of Delhi high court, which had on February 19 given him interim protection till Monday. However, advocate Prashant Mendiratta, appearing for the complainant, asked the court to put up the matter for hearing.
Rajendra Kumar Pachauri had held the post of the chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change since 2002, and the organisation was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.
