Supreme Court of Bharat awarded Rs 50 lakh compensation to S Nambi Narayanan, one of the most brilliant cryogenic rocket engine scientists of Bharat, who was arrested by the Kerala Police in 1994 in connection with the controversial, but, fabricated ISRO Espionage Case. The historical judgement was delivered on September 14, 2018.
The Apex Court termed the arrest needless and unnecessary! The Government of Kerala shall pay the amount. However, there are allegations that the ISRO case was fabricated by some Congress leaders to topple the then Karunakaran Government.
On September 13 2018, Court constituted a committee headed by Justice DK Jain (Supreme Court Justice, Retd) to inquire into the role of the investigating officials. In the wake of these latest developments T Satisan, Correspondent, Organiser spoke to Nambi Narayanan. Excerpts:
Now, the Supreme Court verdict is in your favour, your stand has been vindicated. Do you have any idea regarding the possible motive behind the case which you describe as a fabricated one?
I do not have any clue in this respect. A motive is highly likely. But, I do not know.
Among Kerala Police Crime Branch, Central Government’s IB and CBI, who did most against you?
Both Crime Branch and IB did their best against me. But, CBI helped me out.
Do you remember the Crime Branch and IB officers who showed animosity towards you?
Names of the Crime Branch officers are well known to you since they are very much doing the rounds in the media these days. RB Sreekumar, CM Raveendran, Mathew John and ten others were the IB officers. Their names had been mentioned in the CBI report.
Have you met any of them later?
No, I have not.
What would have been your reaction if you could meet them later?
Whenever I envisaged such an encounter I had a feeling that I should take revenge wherever it is. But, my mindset is different now. Now, the chapter is closed.
Coming back to the reason behind framing such a serious case against an innocent and promising scientist like you, do you think that you had some enemies within ISRO? If so, who and why?
I do not know. Of course, as a senior officer in the hierarchy, I had taken impartial actions against several subordinates. But, I do not believe that they had any grudge against me.
You were a senior scientist assigned to develop cryogenic rocket engine technology, and you had very much moved so close to your goal. Therefore, do you believe that there was an international conspiracy against you (with an idea of killing that ambitious project and research for it)?
I do not know about it. But I do not rule out the possibility. Let someone take it up, proceed with the enquiry and find out.
(From Organiser Archives. Originally published on 26-09-2018)
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