In a major relief to TERI Director General R.K Pachauri, the High Court on Wednesday refused to cancel the anticipatory bail granted to him by a lower court in connection with a sexual harassment complaint. Justice S.P Garg, who was hearing the matter after it was transferred by another judge on Tuesday, said it was pointless to immediately cancel the bail without allowing the police and Prof. Pachauri to file their response.
The complainant, a research student in the university had alleged that Prof. Pachauri had been dictating what was needed to be said to the witnesses and that there was overwhelming evidence to point out that he had misused his bail conditions.
The complainant had also said that the lower court, which had granted him bail had failed to take into account the evidence gathered by the Delhi Police that Prof. Pachauri had been in touch with TERI, contrary to an earlier court order.
Her plea stated that Prof. Pachauri was abusing his position. She appealed to the court that grave prejudice would be caused to her case if Prof. Pachauri was allowed bail.
The complainant’s lawyer on Wednesday also informed the court that Prof. Pachauri had been trying to seek permission to enter the university, which had been forbidden by the lower court.
After hearing this, the Judge said that he would see to this particular aspect at a later stage, but the application for cancellation must not influence or come in the way of the trial proceedings in the lower court.
Prof. Pachauri’s lawyers sought more time to file his response, while also stating that the bail had been granted on merits and hence, the complainant seeking cancellation must not be entertained.
The police too wanted time to file their status report. Four weeks was deemed enough time, so the next date of hearing will be on July 16.
Prof. Pachauri had been asked as to why the stay on his arrest should not be withdrawn. The Delhi police had also been asked to file a status report on whether action had been taken on the complainant’s charge that a proper investigation would not be possible if Prof. Pachauri was allowed to roam around freely. Prof. Pachauri is facing charges of stalking and criminal intimidation in addition to sexual harassment.
The complainant’s lawyer on Wednesday informed the court that Pachauri had been trying to seek permission to enter the university
