New Delhi: Environmentalist R.K. Pachauri, who is facing sexual harassment charges, was asked to go on leave from TERI, its governing council and university amid mounting outrage over his elevation to executive vice-chairman, even as chairman B.V. Sreekantan, who resigned on Friday, was replaced by former Union finance secretary and Competition Commission ex-chief Ashok Chawla. Mr Sreekantan was a member of the governing council for over 40 years.
The developments come a day after Mr Ajay Mathur was appointed as the new director-general of the think tank. Soon after joining, the new chairman reportedly disclosed that an external ombudsman would be appointed to go into complaints of sexual harassment in future.
Women protest at Teri office
The trouble for former TERI D-G R.K. Pachauri, meanwhile, continued to mount as women activists protested outside the institute’s office on Friday, demanding his sacking from the organisation.
On Wednesday, another woman had come out in public alleging sexual harassment by him.
Mr Pachauri, who went on leave on Thursday from Teri University after students refused to receive degrees from him, on Friday proceeded on leave from the organisation and its governing council.
A Teri statement said: "R.K. Pachauri, who had been at the head of the institute since 1982, will be on leave from Teri, Teri Governing Council, and Teri University till this is reviewed by the governing council given the sub-judice nature of the matter."
Teri said the organisation looks forward to the leadership of 65-year-old Ashok Chawla and inducted the new director-general, Ajay Mathur, as a member of the council. Mr Mathur will operate with full executive powers, a move that will strip Mr Pachauri of any executive powers he may have enjoyed when he was appointed executive vice-chairman earlier this week, said sources.
When asked whether Mr Pachauri was forced to go on leave or took the decision voluntarily, Teri declined to comment.
