SC says spy case cost former ISRO scientist his reputation

The Kerala government cannot evade liability to compensate a former ISRO scientist, Nambi Narayanan who faced a dent in his reputation in an espionage case, the Supreme Court has said.

We can direct recovery of the compensation amount either from the officers involved in the probe or the state government, a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra said.

While working as scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation, Narayanan was arrested on November 30, 1994, for alleged espionage.

The Bench is also looking at a possible re-probe into the role of the officers part of the SIT who had framed the former scientist. "We can direct that his reputation be restored and for the loss of reputation we can give the compensation. There is direct judgment to this effect and direct recovery from those officers who were involved in the investigation of the case," the Bench observed.

The officers involved in the probe will have to pay from their pocket. The only question remains how much and when the Bench said. Hearing in the matter would continue on Thursday.