Yesterday, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) announced that RK Pachauri was promoted as its executive vice-chairman, a post specially created for him. Pachauri, who has headed TERI for around thirty-five years, had earlier vacated the position of director general to Ajay Mathur, a member of the Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change.

In February last year, a 29-year-old female research analyst had accused Pachauri of sexual harassment following which he took leave from TERI. He returned in July after a court quashed the internal committee report that found him guilty of misconduct.

Shamelessness abounds! The news of promotion of a man who stands booked on charges of sexual harassment at a workplace, stalking and criminal intimidation by the country’s who’s who makes my flesh crawl.

While a prayer lay in the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi seeking suspension of R K Pachauri (in compliance with the basics of the SH act so that my rights to work are unaffected), TERI's Governing Council held a meeting around the same time because the man was looking to maintain his foothold in TERI. It was around 03 Oct, 2015 that I first heard of this from some current and former colleagues. I was sceptical in thinking that the organisation would not pour cheap, third rated oil to the existing smouldering fire.

I was so wrong!