New Delhi, September 14: Delhi's Saket Court has ordered framing of charges against Environmentalist and former The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Director-General RK Pachauri in a sexual harassment case. The court has scheduled the next hearing of the matter on October 20. The victim has welcomed the court's decision. Talking to ANI, she said, "Chuffed to bits. This has not been easy. This is a big big leap towards the truth. I am relieved and exhausted fighting RK Pachauri." Speaking to News18, Pachauri refused to comment on the entire issue and said that he is not in the country.

In April this year, the investigating officer in the sexual harassment case involving the former TERI Director-General had filed in the court the statements of 13 women employees of the research body in connection with the case. The police had also submitted before the court that they recorded statements of the victims. According to reports, the police had charge-sheeted Pachauri in March 2016 under Sections 354 (molestation), 354A (physical contact and advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures) and 354D.

Earlier in February, the Delhi Court on Wednesday refused to restrain media from reporting an allegation of sexual harassment against former  (TERI) Chief R. K. Pachauri. After registration of an FIR against him by a colleague in February 2015, and with more women raising allegations in the months that followed, a civil suit was filed by Pachauri against media houses the next year. Pachauri then filed a plea for injunction and defamation seeking damages amounting to Rs. 1 crore against few media houses.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 14, 2018 03:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).