ISRO Case: CBI Files Case Against Police Officials on the Direction of SC in the Matter of Space Scientist Nambi Narayan
(Judicial Quest News Network)
The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case in compliance to the orders dated 15.04.2021 passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the Miscellaneous Application Nos. 586-587 of 2021 in Civil Appeal Nos. 6637-6638 of 2018. Earlier, the case was registered by Kerala Police on 20.10.1994 vide Crime No. 225/94 at Police Station Vanchiyoor, Trivandrum against a Maldivian National under Foreigner’s Act on the allegations of over staying in India after expiry of Visa. Subsequently, another case vide Crime No. 246/1994 dated 13.11.1994 was also registered at Vanchiyoor Police station u/s 3 & 4 of Official Secrets Act 1923 r/w 34 of IPC against two accused of Maldivian National, on the allegations that they, in collusion with some others, had taken part in the activities against the sovereignty & integrity of India and indulged in other activities which would harm the cordial relations of India with its neighbors. Later, the investigation of both the said cases were entrusted to a SIT of Kerala police. In Crime no. 246/1994, besides said two accused, four more persons including two scientists working at Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) of ISRO were arrested on the charges of espionage activities.
It is also learned that the police officials mentioned in the report have also been named in the FIR as accused persons, However the agency did not reveal the identities.
Later on, the investigation of both these cases was transferred to CBI. In the Espionage case, CBI submitted Final Report before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ernakulam (Kerala) which was accepted by the Court. While submitting the said report in the Espionage case, the allegations pertaining to espionage were found to be false.
One of the Scientists took the matter for taking action against the erring officials to the Hon’ble Supreme Court by way of filing a civil writ petition. The Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its judgement dated 14.09.2018 in the Civil Appeal No. 6637-6638/2018, awarded compensation of Rs. 50 lakhs to the said Scientist on several counts and also ordered the constitution of a Committee, for obtaining actual scenario including arrest, false implication of said Scientist etc. and to find out ways for taking appropriate steps against the erring officials. Accordingly, a Committee under the Chairmanship of a retired judge of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, was constituted by the MHA. The Committee after conducting inquiry, submitted its report before the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Based on the said enquiry report, the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide Orders dated 15.04.2021 in Miscellaneous Application Nos. 586-587 of 2021 in Civil Appeal Nos. 6637-6638 of 2018 directed CBI to proceed in the matter in accordance with law, being a Court directed enquiry. Accordingly, as per the directions of Hon’ble Supreme Court, CBI has registered a case.
