RK Pachauri Case: Delhi High Court asks media to adhere to reporting norms

NEW DELHI: A division bench of the Delhi High Court, responding a plea made by Rajendra K Pachauri, Director of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), has said reporting on proceedings of an internal committee of TERI should be in conformity with Section 16 of the Sexual Harassment Act, which prohibits divulging identity, address or any particulars of the victim or witnesses in an ongoing internal inquiry.

The 74-year-old scientist had sought directions to prevent publication of "proceedings or outcome of report" of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), which has reportedly concluded its inquiry last week. The inquiry was held on the complaint of a 29-year-old research analyst who has accused Pachauri of sexual harassment at the workplace.

Owing to ongoing strike by lawyers, the 74-year-old scientist appeared in person. The Court ordered that no steps should be taken which violate Section 16 of the Sexual Harassment Act. The order will remain operational till Friday when further hearings will take place on Pachauri’s plea.

Section 16 bars divulging the "identity and address of the aggrieved woman", the "contents of the complaint" or the recommendations of the committee. This section has an exemption that information to the victim can be disseminated.

In his application, Pachauri has sought modification of the order of a single Bench of the High Court dated February 18 wherein publication of ongoing proceedings and outcome of ICC was allowed. Submitting that he has appeared before the ICC on two occasions, Pachauri has submitted that "he does not wish to deal with the failure on part of the ICC to follow principles of natural justice at this stage, but reserves the right to do so, if the need so arises".