Complainant In Pachauri Harassment Case Wants Matter Fast-Tracked

As the Delhi court ordered framing of charges against Ex-TERI chief RK Pachauri in an alleged sexual harassment case, the complainant’s advocate Prashant Mendiratta said that they will “request the court to try and fast track the matter”.

In an exclusive conversation with SheThePeople.TV, Mendiratta said, “The complainant is glad that finally after three years, the trial will begin. We will ask the court to fast-track case because in sexual harassment cases like these women carry the scar until the verdict. We want a closure to the pain and suffering of the victim.”

Mendiratta also spoke about how the complainant is feeling after the recent development. “She is hoping and praying that now at least the trial will begin and the case will come to a conclusion in a short time and not take too long for trials to go on. The time consumed in these matters in painful for the victim,” the lawyer said.

On September 14, Metropolitan Magistrate Charu Gupta ordered framing of charges against Pachauri under Indian Penal Code sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman).

Delhi Police had pressed four more charges against Nobel Peace Prize winner Pachauri, apart from the three other charges—sections 354B (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe), 354D (stalking), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 506 (criminal intimidation)—which the magistrate has freed him from.

"The complainant is glad that finally after three years, the trial will begin. We will ask the court to fast-track the case because in sexual harassment cases like these, women carry the scar until the verdict. We want a closure to the pain and suffering of the victim"

ALSO READ: Law alone can’t deter sexual harassment at workplace

On February 15, 2015, an employee of TERI lodged a complaint against Pachauri, accusing him of sexual harassment at workplace. After this, nine other women accused Pachauri of sexual harassment. In March 2016, the Delhi police filed a 1400-page chargesheet against Pachauri, accusing him of stalking and criminally intimidating the complainant.

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