TERI forces RK Pachauri to go on indefinite leave, gives full powers to Ajay Mathur

New Delhi: In a big shake up in the crisis hit TERI, the think tank's governing council gave full executive powers to Ajay Mathur, who took over director general on Feb 8, and also appointed Ashok Chawla as the new chairman of the TERI Council.

The governing council also forced Dr RK Pachauri to go on an indefinite leave. Recently, TERI had Dr Pachauri as Executive Vice-Chairman, a decision that had attracted widespread condemnation.

Dr Pachauri will be on leave from all 3 bodies -TERI, its Governing Council and University till further review by the Council given the matter's subjudice nature.

With students graduating from TERI University on March 7 having refused to accept their degrees from Dr Pachauri, who is the chancellor, the vice chancellor's office clarified today that Pachauri won't preside over convocation proceedings at the ceremony to be held in March.

Dr Pachauri has been facing multiple allegations of having sexually harassed female staff at TERI. He was removed as chief of Teri in July after an internal inquiry committee found him guilty of misconduct .

Judicial proceedings are on against Dr Pachauri; he is currently out on bail.