NEW DELHI – An Indian official of the United Nations’ body working for theempowerment of women has been accused of sexual misconduct by eight men andis under investigation for the allegations, Hindustan Times has reported

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Womenor UN Women, however, refused to share details of the case.

“We cannot confirm nor deny the subject’s name and we cannot comment on anyspecifics of the case, as that could harm the investigation anddisciplinary process,” it said.

US magazine Newsweek has identified the official as Ravi Karkara, a senioradvisor, and said he had worked for Lakshmi Puri, an Indian diplomat whowas formerly the assistant secretary-general for intergovernmental supportand strategic partnerships at UN Women.

The United Nations indirectly confirmed the details of the case as reportedby Newsweek.

“I would not dispute any of the information contained in the Newsweekarticle. I can confirm that the individual from UN Women has been underinvestigation,” Farhan Haq, a UN spokesperson, said in response to an emailrequest for confirmation of the official’s identity as mentioned in thearticle and if he was under investigation.

Haq did not name the official or the person he worked for.