Ex Teri chief RK Pachauri's devices not hacked, reveals forensic report

NEW DELHI: Not hacked. Electronic devices used by RK Pachauri, the ex-chief of TERI being investigated for sexual harassment, were not hacked, the Forensic Science Laboratory ( FSL), Gandhinagar, has said in a confidential report submitted to Delhi Police.

Pachauri had said his personal electronic devices had been hacked. Delhi Police had last year asked FSL, India's premier forensic institute, to examine seven devices – mobiles, computers, laptops – used by Pachauri.

Delhi Police had asked FSL 22 questions about these devices.

FSL's report, reviewed by ET, says "no suspected or unusual activity was observed" in Pachauri's electronic devices.

Delhi Police had asked FSL "if any spyware/malware or keylogger" (a type of surveillance software) was found in Pachauri's electronic devices. It had also asked "whether devices have been hacked or not?"

FSL concludes that Pachauri's electronic devices were not hacked or interfered with in any manner. FSL's report also says the devices were not infected with any software that could have compromised their security. A top Delhi Police investigator familiar with the case told ET the police wanted to rule out even a "speck of doubt" that Pachauri's electronic devices were hacked or compromised in any manner, and that's why FSL was asked to examine so many possibilities. He also said the police wanted to leave nothing that could invite "wishful misinterpretation".

ANNEXED DOCUMENTS
FSL's report also annexes documents found in Pachauri's electronic devices. Annexure 'A', for example, contains printouts of emails and messages sent/received by Pachauri.

The report has annexed four CDs titled B,C,D & E containing a massive amount of information recovered from Pachauri's electronic devices.

FSL will also be separately submitting a report on the forensic examination of the complainant's electronic equipment. Delhi Police had filed an FIR against Pachauri in February 2015, after preliminary enquiry into a complaint of sexual harassment by a 29-year-old woman employee them employed by TERI.

ET had first reported that a sexual harassment complaint had been filed against Pachauri. Pachauri, responding to ET's questions, had said: "From your email, I have come to know the factum that my computer resources including my email ids, mobile phones and WhatsApp messages have been hacked and that unknown cyber criminals have gone ahead and have unauthorisedly accessed my computer resources and communication devices and further committed various criminal activities."

Delhi Police had earlier told Delhi's Saket court that "…during preliminary inquiries and CDR (call detail record) analysis no evidence came on record that his (Pachauri’s) mobile phone and other equipment have been hacked during conversation with complainant".