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Former UN climate panel Rajendra Pachauri charged with sexual harassment in India

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Rajendra Pachauri. Photo: AP

Indian police said on Tuesday they had charged the former head of the UN climate change panel Rajendra Pachauri with sexual harassment, following a complaint by an ex-colleague at an environmental think-tank.

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Police brought the charges against Pachauri in a Delhi trial court, more than a year after a female employee in her late twenties filed a complaint accusing him of sending inappropriate texts and emails.

“We have filed the charge sheet today and the court will decide when to begin the hearing,” investigating officer Virender Dalal said.

Police have charged Pachauri, 75, with four counts including sexual assault, harassment and criminal intimidation, according to the complainant’s lawyer.

“Police have filed the nearly 1,400-page charge sheet in the trial court,” lawyer Prashant Mendiratta said.

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“We will need time to examine the entire document but it states that they have found prima facie evidence,” he added.

READ MORE: Rajendra Pachauri, head of UN climate change panel, steps down amid sexual harassment allegations

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