1994 ISRO Spy Case: SC Orders CBI Probe In Framing Of Nambi Narayanan, Ex-Scientist Welcomes Decision

The ISRO spy case surfaced in the year 1994 when Nambi Narayanan was arrested on charges of espionage along with another senior official of ISRO.

Former ISRO Scientist Nambi Narayanan. (Image: Twitter)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the 1994 in the 1994 espionage case against former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist Nambi Narayana. 

As per reports, the top court has ordered a probe into the role of Kerala police officers in framing ISRO scientist in the case. 

Apart from CBI prove order, the apex court also directed the Kerala government to pay Rs 50 lakh compensation to Narayanan for causing him immense humiliation.

A bench headed by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, on the basis of report of by a panel headed by former SC Judge DK Jain, directed the central agency to carry out further investigation. While announcing the decision, SC said the matter is very serious and it requires a CBI probe.

The bench order said that the investigation charge be taken by CBI Director and treat the report by Justice Jain panel as a preliminary inquiry report to conduct further investigations into the matter.

CBI has to file status report on its investigations in three months. 

What Is 1994 Espionage Case?

The ISRO spy case surfaced in the year 1994 when Narayanan was arrested on charges of espionage along with another senior official of ISRO, two Maldivian women and a businessman. The 79-year-old former ISRO scientist then waged a legal battle against the Kerala police officers who accused him of being a Pakistan's spy.

Narayanan had maintained that Kerala police fabricated the case and said that technology he was accused to have stolen and sold did not even exist at that time.

Nambi Narayana's Reaction On SC Verdict

Nambi Narayanan on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision saying that the CBI probe will bring out real conspiracy in ISRO spy case.

"All what I know is I was subjected to all sorts of harassment for no fault of mine. I welcome the new directive of the Supreme Court asking the CBI to come out with all the facts including if there was a conspiracy in the ISRO spy case," he said.