The <keyword id="6354977" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="supreme-court" source="Orion">Supreme Court</keyword> Friday quashed a Kerala <keyword id="6355392" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="high-court" source="Orion">High Court</keyword> order granting anticipatory bail to four people, including a former Director General of Police (DGP), in a case of alleged frame-up of scientist <keyword id="1371628" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="nambi-narayanan" source="Orion">Nambi Narayanan</keyword> in the 1994 Indian Space Research Organisation (<keyword id="6358064" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ISRO" source="Orion">ISRO</keyword>) espionage matter. <br /><br />The <keyword id="6354572" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="cbi" source="Orion">CBI</keyword> had registered the case against 18 people for various offences, including criminal conspiracy, in connection with the arrest and detention of <keyword id="49091" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="narayanan" source="Orion">Narayanan</keyword> in the espionage case. <br /><br />The case, which had hit the headlines in 1994, pertained to allegations of transfer of certain confidential documents on India's space programme to foreign countries by two scientists and four others, including two Maldivian women. <br /><br />Narayanan, who was given a clean chit by the CBI, had earlier alleged that the Kerala Police had "fabricated" the case and the technology he was accused to have stolen and sold in the 1994 case did not even exist at that time. <br /><br />A bench of justices M R Shah and C T Ravikumar allowed the plea filed by the CBI and remanded the matter back to the high <keyword id="6355578" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="court" source="Orion">court</keyword> and directed it to decide the issue within four weeks. <br /><br />"In view of the above and for the reasons stated above, all these appeals are allowed. The impugned judgment and order passed by the High Court are hereby quashed and set aside. All the anticipatory bail applications are remitted to the High Court to decide the same afresh in accordance with law and on their own merits and in light of the observations made hereinabove. <br /><br />"However, it is observed that this Court has not expressed anything on merits in favour of either of the parties and it is ultimately for the High Court to pass appropriate order/s in accordance with law and on their own merits and in light of the observations made hereinabove," it said. <br /><br />The top court asked the high court to finally decide and dispose of the anticipatory bail applications on remand, at the earliest but preferably within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of the present order. <br /><br />"The Registry of the High Court is directed to notify all these anticipatory bail applications before the concerned Bench taking up such matters within a period of one week from today. <br /><br />"Till then, by way of an interim arrangement and without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the CBI before the High Court, it is directed that for a period of five weeks from today and till the bail applications are finally decided by the High Court on remand, the respondents herein - original accused be not arrested, subject to their cooperation in the investigation," the bench said. <br /><br />The apex court also directed the high court to decide and dispose of the bail applications afresh on remand without in any way being influenced by the present interim arrangement and in accordance with law and on their own merits. <br /><br />The top court said the high court has neither considered the allegations against the respective accused nor the role played by them while granting anticipatory bail to the accused. <br /><br />"It appears that the High Court has made some observations without considering the individual role played by the respective accused when they were working in the Kerala Police/IB and without considering the nature of allegations against them, we are of the opinion that the matters need to be remanded to the High Court to consider the anticipatory bail applications afresh," the bench said. <br /><br />The judgement came on the CBI's appeal against the high court order granting bail to former Gujarat DGP R B Sreekumar, two former police officers of Kerala S Vijayan and Thampi S Durga Dutt, and a retired intelligence official P S Jayaprakash. <br /><br />Sreekumar was then the Deputy Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB). <br /><br />The apex court had in November last year issued notice on the CBI's plea filed in the matter. <br /><br />The agency had said its probe found that some scientists were tortured and framed in the espionage case due to which the development of cryogenic engine was hit, setting back India's space programme by almost one or two decades. <br /><br />The CBI earlier alleged there was a clear indication that the accused were part of a team which had ulterior motives to torpedo the attempts of the ISRO for manufacturing the cryogenic engine. <br /><br />While granting anticipatory bail to these four accused on August 13 last year, the high court had said, "There is not even a scintilla of evidence regarding the petitioners being influenced by any foreign power so as to induce them to hatch a conspiracy to falsely implicate the scientists of the ISRO with the intention to stall the activities of the ISRO with regard to the development of the cryogenic engine." <br /><br />It had said unless there is specific material regarding their involvement, prima facie, it cannot be said that they were acting against the interests of the country. <br /><br />The CBI had said the then top police officials in Kerala were responsible for Narayanan's illegal arrest.The apex court had on September 14, 2018 appointed a three-member committee while directing the Kerala government to cough up a Rs 50 lakh compensation for compelling Narayanan to undergo immense humiliation. <br /><br />Terming the police action against the ex-scientist of the ISRO psycho-pathological treatment , the apex court had in September 2018 said his liberty and dignity , basic to his human rights, were jeopardised as he was taken into custody and, eventually, despite all the glory of the past, was compelled to face cynical abhorrence.<br /><br /><b>SEE ALSO:</b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/rupee-at-80-against-the-usd-a-possibility-say-analysts-as-us-fed-hints-at-slower-rate-hikes/articleshow/95940818.cms">Rupee may hit 80/$ aided by trifecta of softer rates, cooling crude and stronger macros, say analysts</a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/globalbees-to-cred-and-two-adani-group-companies-companies-which-command-high-valuations-with-low-revenues/articleshow/95929044.cms">The curious case of companies which command high valuations with low revenues</a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/maruti-suzuki-announces-price-hike-from-january-2023/articleshow/95941950.cms">Maruti Suzuki cars will get costlier from January 2023</a></b><br />

SC quashes Kerala HC order granting anticipatory bail to 4 in ISRO espionage case

<ul><li> The Kerala cabinet has approved ₹1.3 crore ($180,000) as compensation to for S <keyword id="1371628" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nambi-Narayanan">Nambi Narayanan</keyword> who was falsely accused of being a spy.</li><li>It took Narayanan over two decades to find justice after being tortured during his nearly 2-month detention in 1994.</li><li>This highest compensation that Narayanan has received after he petitioned the Supreme Court, which allotted ₹50 lakh in 2018. </li></ul>S Nambi Narayanan believes that he could’ve been the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).  He was instrumental in developing a mechanism which was used in 'Bahubali' rocket that launched Chandrayaan 2. <br /><br />Yet, this man who was later awarded India’s highest civilian honour spent 25 years of his life fighting off allegations of being a spy. <br /><br />
	
	
	
	
	
  <div type="image" title="nambi2_edited" msid="72991953" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Geetha Arunan daughter of scientist Nambi Narayanan weeps after screening documentary about the latter&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>













<br /><br /><strong>Inadequate compensation<br /></strong><br />In 1994, Narayan was accused of stealing classified information and sharing it with Pakistan. <br /><br />Though he was cleared of all allegations in by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Supreme Court in 1998 — only ₹1 lakh was offered in compensation. <br />Disappointed with the treatment meted out to him, Narayanan approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to seek damages for the torture and mental agony that he had to endure during his 50-day incarceration.<br />
	
	
	
	
  <div type="image" title="nambi3_edited" msid="72992009" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan was accused of stealing launch secrets for Pakistan in 1994&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>











<br />The scandal had damaged his honour and thus began his journey to salvage his innocence by circling the courts.<br /><br />To compensate him for the unlawful detention, the Kerala cabinet has now approved ₹1.3 crore ($180,000) as compensation. This is more than twice the amount that he was offered by the Supreme Court which in 2018. <br />
	
	
	
  <div type="image" title="nambi5_50lakh_edited" msid="72992022" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan handing over 50 Lakhs (as directed by SC) to Nambi Narayanan&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>








<strong>The road to becoming ISRO chairman<br /></strong><br />Before the scandal broke, Narayanan was on the road to success at ISRO.<br /><br />“I could have become the chairman of ISRO, without any doubt, but I am not sad. What is sad is that because of my dream job, I did not take care of my family,” he said in an interview with <a href="https://theprint.in/india/governance/the-spy-who-wasnt-space-scientist-nambi-narayanan-fought-for-his-innocence-for-24-years/118914/">The Print</a>.<br /><br />
	
	
	
  <div type="image" title="nambi4_edited" msid="72992033" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Nambi Narayanan&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>









During his stint at ISRO, Narayan is credited for developing India’s first liquid-propellant motor. The motor forms the backbone for the advanced cryogenic engine, which now powers India’s ‘<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/why-chandrayaan-2-will-take-7-weeks-to-reach-moon/articleshow/70346159.cms">Bahubali</a>’ rocket — the Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV). It is the biggest rocket in India’s portfolio and is responsible for missions like <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/chandrayaan-2-fails-in-the-final-seconds-of-descent-to-moons-south-pole/articleshow/71018196.cms">Chandrayaan 2</a>, India’s second mission to the Moon. <br /><br />
	
	
  <div type="image" title="nambi6_edited" msid="72992064" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Chandryaan 2, India&amp;#39;s second mission to the moon, takes off from the launch pan in Sriharikota&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>






He was also instrumental in developing the Vikas engine, which was later used in the first <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/isros-nsil-completes-second-successful-launch-using-pslv-rockets/articleshow/72474132.cms">Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)</a>.<br /><br />Ironically, it was being close to the cryogenic engine project that <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/19941231-key-questions-about-spy-scandal-remain-unanswered-month-after-spy-ring-exposed-810101-1999-11-30">cast suspicions on him</a> since it gave him access to its proprietary functioning.<br /><br />
	
  <div type="image" title="nambi7_edited" msid="72992125" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan watching the news about the launch of GSLV Mk III from Sriharikota at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>





<br /><strong>Accused of being a spy<br /></strong><br />Narayanan says that the authorities not only tortured him during his nearly 2-month arrest but also coerced false confessions out of him. At the time, the investigators stated that Narayanan had “been wanting to quit his job for the past two years,” according to <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/19941231-key-questions-about-spy-scandal-remain-unanswered-month-after-spy-ring-exposed-810101-1999-11-30">India Today</a>.<br /><br />At the time, he never realised that clearing his name would take another two decades. Even former President and rocket scientist APJ Abdul Kalam told him to give up, but Narayanan claims that he had made it his life’s mission to prove that it was not a spy.<br /><br />
  <div type="image" title="nambi8_edited" msid="72992150" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan, who was framed in the notorious ISRO espionage scandal, speaking at an interactive session organised by Karayogam at TDM hall in Kochi &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>


<strong><br />Here comes the Padma Bhushan<br /></strong><br />In 2018, justice finally came. The Supreme Court ruled he was “arrested unnecessarily, harassed and subjected to mental cruelty” finally clearing him of all charges. The verdict also directed that a committee should be set to look into the activities of the police officers behind the arrest.<br /><br />In January 2019, Narayanan’s contributions to India’s space programme were finally recognised when the government awarded him the Padma Bhushan — the third-highest civilian award in the country.<br /><br />
  
  
  
  
  
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Who is who is WHO???🙏🙏🙏🚀🚀 #rocketryfilm @tricolourfilm @media.raindrop @vijaymoolan</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/actormaddy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> R. Madhavan</a> (@actormaddy) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2019-01-22T05:32:05+00:00">Jan 21, 2019 at 9:32pm PST</time></p></div></blockquote>
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<br />The story of Narayanan’s thrilling journey will also be hitting the big screen soon. <em><keyword id="1607807" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="rocketry">Rocketry</keyword>: The Nambi Effect </em>starring <keyword id="18461" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="R-Madhavan">R Madhavan</keyword> with feature the “extraordinary story of an unsung hero” that’s been in the works since 2017. Madhavan — the actor, producer and director of the movie — called the project his “biggest film ever”.<br /><br /><strong>See also:<br /></strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/isro-outlook-2020-indian-private-sector-eyes-30-billion-space-launch-pie/articleshow/72812429.cms">ISRO outlook 2020: Indian private sector eyes $30 billion space launch pie</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/isro-has-its-hands-full-with-13-launches-and-the-launch-of-its-new-rocket-before-march/articleshow/72253562.cms">ISRO has its 'hands full' with 13 launches and the test of its new rocket before March</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/isro-risat-2br1-spy-satellite-surveillance-along-borders/articleshow/72454280.cms">ISRO's all-weather ‘spy satellite’ will help India watch its borders closely</a><br /><br /><br />

You Searched For "nambi narayanan" and got 2 results

SC quashes Kerala HC order granting anticipatory bail to 4 in ISRO espionage case

PTI

An Indian rocket scientist lost 25 years falsely accused of being a spy— now he will get $180,000 as compensation

Prabhjote Gill