Following the SC order, CBI registers case in ISRO scientists alleged espionage case
New Delhi, May 11
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case in compliance to the orders passed by the Supreme Court in the ISRO scientists case.
Earlier, the case was registered by Kerala Police in October 1994 Vanchiyoor police station of Trivandrum against a Maldivian national under the Foreigner’s Act on the allegations of over staying in India after expiry of Visa. Subsequently, another case was also registered at Vanchiyoor Police station under sections 3 & 4 of Official Secrets Act 1923 and 34 of IPC against two accused of Maldivian National, on the allegations that they, in collusion with some others, had taken part in the activities against the sovereignty and integrity of India and indulged in other activities which would harm the cordial relations of India with its neighbours. Later, the investigation of both the cases was entrusted to a SIT of Kerala police.
The officials added that besides the two accused, four more persons including two scientists working at Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) of ISRO were arrested on the charges of espionage activities.
Later on, the investigation of both these cases was transferred to CBI. In the Espionage case, CBI submitted final report before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ernakulam(Kerala) which was accepted by the Court. While submitting the said report in the Espionage case, the allegations pertaining to espionage were found to be false.
According to the CBI, one of the scientists took the matter for taking action against the erring officials to the SC by way of filing a civil writ petition. The Supreme Court through its judgement dated in September 2018 in the Civil Appeal No. 6637-6638/2018, awarded compensation of Rs. 50 lakh to the said scientist on several counts and also ordered the constitution of a committee, for obtaining actual scenario including arrest, false implication of said Scientist etc and to find out ways for taking appropriate steps against the erring officials.
Accordingly, a committee under the Chairmanship of a retired judge of the SC, was constituted by the MHA. The committee after conducting inquiry, submitted its report before the SC. Based on the said enquiry report, SC in April this year in Miscellaneous Application Nos. 586-587 of 2021 in Civil Appeal Nos. 6637-6638 of 2018 directed CBI to proceed in the matter in accordance with law, being a court directed enquiry.
