ISRO scientists espionage case created by Kerala Police exposed

  • CBI files FIR against fake allegations of spying implicating Nambi Narayanan
  • Two former Director General of Police arrested
Scientist Nambi Narayanan

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) – The case of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s scientist Nambi Narayanan has once again in discussion. Nambi Narayanan, who spent many years in jail under accusations of spying, was acquitted earlier in this case. The Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) has stated in its charge sheet that the case filed in 1994 about spying in ISRO was fake. It was a conspiracy hatched by a former special branch Officer of Kerala Police. CBI has taken into custody former Director General of Police (DGP) of Kerala, C B Mathews and former DGP of Gujarat, R B Sreekumar. Cases have been filed against other three retired Police Officers viz. S Vijayan, K K Joshua and P S Jayaprakash.

A chargesheet has been filed by the CBI with the Chief Magistrate at Thiruvananthapuram, wherein it has been stated that the plot was hatched to justify the illegal arrest of a Maldivian woman for rejecting advances of the Police Officer. In 2021, after the Supreme Court’s directions to conduct an inquiry into the alleged stand of Kerala Police and senior Intelligence Officer, two women from Maldives accused of working for Pakistan as agents, were detained under the Official Secrets Act.

Contents of CBI’s chargesheet  

CBI has stated that the case is an example of misuse of law and power. The accused Police Officers implicated two women from Maldives viz Mariyam Rasheeda and Fauzia Hasan, ISRO scientists D Shasikumaran and Nambi Narayanan, besides Chandrashekhar and S K Sharma in a case of espionage.

The former Police Officer wanted to have physical relations with Rasheeda

As per CBI’s chargesheet, Maldives resident Mariyam Rasheeda stayed in a hotel at Thiruvananthapuram when the divisional officer S Vijayan reached the same hotel. He forced entry into Rasheeda’s room and tried to have physical relations with her, but Mariyam refused; therefore, Vijayan arrested her to teach her a lesson. Later, he associated Rasheeda’s name to ISRO scientist D Shasikumaran and fabricated the whole case.

Nambi Narayanan’s implication

It has been stated in the chargesheet that Vijayan immediately left the room. He collected information about Mariyam Rasheeda and Fauzia Hasan. From the hotel’s records, it was observed that Rashida was in contact with ISRO scientist D Shasikumaran over phone. Vijayan seized her passport and her ticket to fly to Male. He also stopped Rasheeda from leaving India after her Indian VISA expired. A fake FIR was prepared; based on which other persons were arrested. They were physically and mentally tortured to accept the offence which they had not committed.

Nambi Narayanan persecuted for 50 days

Scientist Nambi Narayanan played a vital role in developing an engine used in the rockets in India. He was arrested under the accusation of spying. He was physically and mentally persecuted continuously for 50 days, causing defamation and a huge loss in business. Narayanan took the matter to the Supreme Court and demanded justice for his illegal detention and persecution.

Nambi Narayanan’s plea

Nambi Narayanan fought for twenty years to bring forth the truth. He said about the chargesheet that as a person, it didn’t matter to him whether the guilty were punished or not; but it would be good enough for him even if they accepted their mistake.

Editorial Perspective

The Union Government should try to get the death penalty for such Police Officers who implicated ISRO scientists in false case, persecuted them and caused immeasurable damage to the country.