A Delhi court on Thursday directed the police to complete its investigation in the alleged sexual harassment case against TERI Director General R.K. Pachauri by July 16.
"We just got to know that July 17 has been set for final hearing. He doesn't have the permission to join TERI office. The court has ordered the police to complete its investigation as soon as possible," Prashant Mendiratta, the victim's lawyer, told ANI.
Pachauri had earlier moved the court seeking modification of its March 21 order which had granted him protection from arrest on the condition that he would not enter the TERI premises till the probe is completed.
"On our application, the court has passed an order. They have given some more time to the police to finish their investigation and after that when the investigation is finished the court has given the last opportunity to finish investigation by 16th of July. If it is not done, the court shall modify the condition, the Judge has observed that 'I shall be constraint in passing the orders that is modifying the condition of petitioner that is Mr. Pachuari entering the TERI premises'", said Pachauri's lawyer, Ashish Dixit, told ANI.
Pachauri quit as chair of the United Nations panel of climate scientists in February, ending 13 years in charge of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning group, after a 29-year-old female employee accused him
of sexual harassment.
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Pachauri has denied the allegation.
With investigations underway, a Delhi court order later prohibited him from entering TERI's premises or contacting any of the think-tank's officials.
The woman, a researcher at TERI, claims the 74-year-old scientist began harassing her soon after she joined TERI in September 2013.
She has accused Pachauri of harassing her via email, Whatsapp and text messaging. Her lawyers say Pachauri persisted despite her requests that he stop.
Last month, Pachauri was granted anticipatory bail in the case. He had sought permission to travel abroad to attend a summit, which, was refused by a sessions court.