In a clear vindication, former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist and one of the leading experts in cryogenic engines Nambi Narayanan was given an additional compensation of ₹1.30 crore by the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Hindustan Times reported.
ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan was falsely implicated by the Kerala Police in a case of espionage that led to the derailment of India’s cryogenic rocket programme.
The Supreme Court had in 2018 ruled that Narayanan was not guilty of any of the espionage charges as accused by the Kerala Police and the bench called the case was “unnecessary” and that “he was implicated.”
The apex court had also granted him an interim relief of ₹50 lakh and in its judgement observed that Narayanan deserved more.
The Supreme Court told Narayanan to approach a lower court for proper consideration for compensation and a case was filed in a sessions court in Thiruvananthapuram.
Nambi Narayanan was one of the best scientists in ISRO and was in charge of India’s cryogenic programme. He was credited to have developed India’s first liquid-propellant motor. In November 1994, he and fellow scientist D SasiKumaran, who was serving as the Deputy Director of the cryogenic technology division of the ISRO and was in charge of the cryogenic technology transfer from Russia, were arrested for ‘espionage’ and were tortured by intelligence agencies. To this day, the role of the American Central Intelligence Agency in falsely framing him for high treason has never been investigated.
With his arrest, India’s cryogenic engine programme fell apart and the progress we could have made in space technology came to a grinding halt.
Speaking on the development, Narayanan shared, “I am happy. It is not for money alone I fought. My fight was against injustice.”