SC awards ex-ISRO man Nambi Narayanan Rs 50 lakh compensation

The Supreme Court on Friday awarded Rs 50 lakh in compensation to former ISRO scientist S. Nambi Narayanan, who was falsely implicated in an espionage case in the 1990s and subjected to arrest, incarceration and public humiliation.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud directed that the compensation be paid to Narayanan for the suffering and loss of reputation he endured as a result of the case.

The court also ordered the formation of a committee to examine the role of officials who were allegedly responsible for falsely implicating the scientist in the purported Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) spy case.

The committee will be headed by a retired judge and will include representatives of both the Centre and the Kerala government. Its mandate will be to examine the conduct of the officials involved and determine whether action should be taken against those responsible.

Narayanan had approached the Supreme Court seeking an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his implication in the case by the Kerala Police and other agencies.

The scientist had challenged a Kerala High Court ruling that upheld the state government's decision not to initiate action against officials accused of falsely implicating him in the case.

The espionage allegations emerged in the mid-1990s and caused serious damage to Narayanan's career and reputation. The case was subsequently found to have been baseless, but the allegations had already resulted in his arrest and prolonged legal and personal hardship.

The Supreme Court's decision to award compensation and order an inquiry into the conduct of officials marks a significant step in recognising the consequences of wrongful prosecution. Beyond the financial relief, the order also underscores the importance of accountability when investigative agencies act against individuals without adequate basis.

The case involving Narayanan has over the years become an important example of the human and professional cost of a wrongful investigation, particularly when allegations involve a high-profile national institution such as ISRO.