May grant Rs 25 lakh compensation, SC tells ex-ISRO scientist in spying case

“I have served the nation. I am hurt. It was a fabricated case. I have suffered the agony for 10 years. The CBI gave me the clean chit and the closure report was accepted by the Magistrate,” the 76-year-old scientist told the bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra.  “I seek compensation of Rs 1 crore and action against the (SIT) officers who framed me,” Narayanan, who has received Rs 10 lakh as compensation so far, said. 

The bench, which also comprising justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, said, “It cannot go the extent of awarding Rs 1 crore as the public remedy compensation.” It, however, told Narayanan that a total compensation of Rs 25 lakh can be granted to him and the state will be asked to ascertain the role of errant officers for framing him in the fake sensational case. 

It further said the compensation amount would be deducted from the salary or the pensionary benefits of the errant officers. The counsel for CBI said the agency had found the case to be fake and filed the closure report which has already been accepted by the court. The bench then asked the agency as to whether it conducted any investigation to find out and fix the responsibility of the errant officer. The CBI replied in negative. The court fixed the matter for hearing on May 11.