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S. Nambi Narayanan v. Siby Mathews & Others Etc. (ISRO Espionage Case Compensation)

Civil Appeal · 2018 INSC 822Decided 14 Sept 2018
Civil Appeal Nos. 6637-6638 of 2018
Chief Justice Dipak Misra · Justice A.M. Khanwilkar · Dr. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud

Background

S. Nambi Narayanan, a senior ISRO scientist, was arrested in 1994 along with other colleagues on allegations that they had leaked official secrets about cryogenic rocket technology to foreign nationals, in what became known as the "ISRO espionage case." The CBI's investigation, taken over after the Kerala Police's initial probe, found the espionage allegations to be false and unproved, and this was accepted by the courts, clearing Nambi Narayanan. He later sought compensation and accountability for the humiliation, suffering, and career damage he endured over the roughly 24 years since his wrongful arrest, which the Kerala High Court had addressed only partially.

Decision Breakdown

The Supreme Court held that Nambi Narayanan's extended ordeal, wrongful arrest, custody, and the devastating effect on his reputation and career as a scientist, amounted to a violation of his fundamental right to life and personal liberty under Article 21, warranting compensation beyond what the lower courts had awarded. Drawing on precedent for enhancing compensation in cases of wrongful prosecution, the Court directed the State of Kerala to pay him Rs. 50 lakh as compensation within eight weeks, while clarifying he remained free to pursue a separately pending civil suit for further damages. Going beyond compensation, the Court also constituted a special committee headed by a former Supreme Court judge (Justice D.K. Jain) to examine and recommend appropriate action against the police and intelligence officials responsible for his wrongful implication.

Lesson Learnt

When state authorities wrongfully prosecute and humiliate an individual without basis, courts can award substantial monetary compensation for the resulting violation of personal liberty and dignity, and can also direct independent accountability proceedings against the officials responsible: compensation and institutional accountability are not mutually exclusive remedies.

Official source (sci.gov.in)View Judgment (PDF)

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