Supreme Court panel recommends CBI probe in the illegal arrest of former ISRO scientist by Kerala police

The top court said the panel's report should not be made public and refused to handover a copy to the former police officers involved in the case, reported NDTV.

A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court was hearing a case in connection with the role of the ex-police officers in framing former ISRO scientist Dr Nambi Narayanan, over two decades ago, accusing him of espionage.

"The report refers to several circumstances, and the panel has identified the officers. We will ask the CBI to probe further based on the report and in accordance with law," said Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, who headed the three-judge bench, the NDTV report stated.

In 1994, the Kerala police arrested Dr Narayanan, now 79, on the charges of passing information to Pakistan. At the time he was working on cryogenic engine technology at ISRO.

In 1996, CBI took over the case from Kerala Police and closed it after finding no evidence to support the allegations levelled against the scientist.

Reports said Dr Narayanan fought a long battle to get back his honour and seek action against Kerala Police, who he said destroyed his life.

In its report CBI had also pointed out several lapses against the police officers and recommended action against them.

In 2018, the Supreme Court said the treatment meted out to Dr Narayanan in custody as "psycho-pathological" and ordered the Kerala government to pay Rs 50 lakh in compensation.

The court also set up a panel headed by former Supreme Court judge DK Jain to investigate the role of Kerala police in framing Dr Narayanan.

In 2019, Dr Nambi Narayanan was awarded Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.