Justice Restored: Supreme Court Orders Compensation in ISRO Espionage Case

On 14th September 2018, the Supreme Court of India delivered a significant judgment in S. Nambi Narayanan v. Siby Mathews & Others, addressing the wrongful prosecution and harassment of a former ISRO scientist in an espionage case. The ruling emphasized the importance of protecting individual rights, upholding justice, and compensating victims of malicious prosecution.

The Supreme Court directed the Kerala Government to pay **Rs. 50 lakhs as compensation** to the petitioner, **S. Nambi Narayanan**, for the humiliation and trauma suffered due to his wrongful arrest in 1994. The Court also ordered the formation of a committee headed by **Justice D.K. Jain** to take appropriate action against the erring police officials responsible for the case.

Background of the Case

The case dates back to **1994**, when **Crime No. 225/94** was registered at **Vanchiyoor Police Station, Kerala**, against **Mariam Rasheeda**, a Maldivian national, under the **Foreigners Act, 1946**. During interrogation, she allegedly made certain statements that led to a new case (**Crime No. 246/94**) under the **Official Secrets Act, 1923**, alleging that **scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)** were involved in leaking classified information related to India’s space program.

The case quickly gained national attention as top ISRO scientists, including **Dr. S. Nambi Narayanan**, were arrested. The Kerala Police formed a **Special Investigation Team (SIT)** led by **Siby Mathews**. However, the case was later transferred to the **Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)**.

Findings of the CBI

After conducting a thorough investigation, the CBI concluded that the **espionage charges were false**. The CBI found:

• No credible evidence of ISRO scientists leaking classified information.
• No missing documents or sensitive files were identified.
• The investigation by Kerala Police was filled with procedural lapses.
• Police officers involved in the case acted recklessly, arresting top scientists without substantial proof.

As a result, the CBI filed a **closure report in 1996**, stating that the **case was baseless** and the accused should be discharged. The Kerala High Court upheld the CBI’s findings, but **no action was taken against the police officers responsible for the wrongful arrests**.

Arguments by the Petitioner (S. Nambi Narayanan)

The petitioner, a renowned space scientist, argued:

• His wrongful arrest destroyed his **career, reputation, and personal life**.
• The Kerala Police acted with **malice and incompetence**, subjecting him to **illegal detention and mental torture**.
• The Kerala Government ignored the **CBI’s recommendations** to take action against the erring police officers.
• The **State of Kerala must be held accountable** for violating his **fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution**.

Arguments by the Respondents (State of Kerala and Police Officials)

The Kerala Government and the police officials, represented by senior counsel, defended their actions:

• The case was based on the **initial statements of the accused**, leading to reasonable suspicion.
• The **officers followed proper procedures** during the investigation.
• The **State of Kerala decided not to take disciplinary action** against the SIT members due to the passage of time.

Supreme Court’s Observations

The Supreme Court, led by **Chief Justice Dipak Misra**, examined the facts of the case and made critical observations:

On wrongful prosecution:

“The prosecution launched against the appellant by the Kerala Police was malicious, and the entire episode caused tremendous harassment and immeasurable anguish to him.”

On human dignity and compensation:

“Reputation is an integral part of an individual’s fundamental right to life under Article 21. The mental agony suffered by the petitioner due to wrongful incarceration cannot be ignored.”

On police accountability:

“The State of Kerala must take necessary action against erring officials to ensure such instances do not occur in the future.”

Final Judgment

After reviewing the evidence and considering the CBI’s findings, the Supreme Court ruled:

• The **State of Kerala must pay Rs. 50 lakhs as compensation** to S. Nambi Narayanan.
• A **committee led by Justice D.K. Jain** must investigate the conduct of police officers involved.
• The case serves as a reminder that **wrongful prosecution and abuse of power must not go unchecked**.

Impact of the Judgment

The Supreme Court’s verdict in this case sets an important precedent for **wrongful prosecution, police accountability, and the right to compensation**. The key takeaways from this ruling include:

• Compensation as a remedy for constitutional violations: The Court reaffirmed that individuals **wrongfully prosecuted** have a right to seek **monetary compensation** under public law.
• Accountability of police officers: Law enforcement officials must follow **due process** and **avoid arbitrary arrests**.
• Judicial intervention to uphold justice: The judiciary plays a **crucial role in correcting injustices**, especially when state actions violate **fundamental rights**.

This ruling ensures that **no individual should suffer the humiliation and trauma of a wrongful arrest**, especially when based on **false charges and flawed investigations**. The decision also underscores the need for **judicial oversight and systemic reforms** in law enforcement to prevent similar injustices in the future.

Petitioner Name: S. Nambi Narayanan.
Respondent Name: Siby Mathews & Others.
Judgment By: Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, Justice Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud.
Place Of Incident: Kerala.
Judgment Date: 14-09-2018.

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