The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has disclosed that the notorious ISRO espionage case was fabricated by a Kerala police officer after a Maldivian woman rebuffed his advances. The case, which rocked the nation in the 1990s, led to the wrongful arrest and persecution of several scientists, including the prominent space scientist Nambi Narayanan.
According to the CBI’s findings, the Kerala police officer orchestrated the espionage charges as an act of revenge against the Maldivian woman, Mariam Rasheeda, who had rejected his romantic propositions. Rasheeda, who was subsequently implicated in the false espionage case, endured severe trauma and legal battles as a result.
The ISRO espionage case, which accused scientists of leaking sensitive information to foreign agents, was widely criticized for its lack of credible evidence and the harsh treatment of the accused. Nambi Narayanan, who was one of the key scientists implicated, faced years of harassment and defamation before being exonerated.
“The CBI’s investigation has now brought to light the true motive behind the case—a personal vendetta by a disgruntled police officer,” said a CBI spokesperson. “This revelation underscores the grave miscarriage of justice and the need for accountability.”
Nambi Narayanan, who was awarded compensation and honored for his contributions to space research, expressed relief at the CBI’s findings but also emphasized the lasting damage caused by the false accusations. “This revelation vindicates my long-standing assertion of innocence. However, the years lost and the suffering endured cannot be undone,” he said.
The Maldivian woman at the center of the controversy, Mariam Rasheeda, has also welcomed the CBI’s findings, hoping it will restore her dignity and clear her name. “I have lived under the shadow of these false accusations for too long. It is a relief that the truth is finally out,” she stated.
The Kerala police officer, whose identity has not been disclosed, is now under scrutiny, with calls for a thorough investigation into his actions and the broader implications of misuse of power within the police force.
This shocking turn of events has reignited discussions about the need for reforms in the law enforcement and judicial systems to prevent such egregious abuses of power in the future.