Nambi Narayanan false espionage case: Kerala cop fabricated charges to trap Maldivian woman, says CBI
Nambi Narayanan
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) told a court on Wednesday (July 10) that the 1994 ISRO espionage case, whichfalsely implicated ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan,was fabricated by a senior police officer in Kerala to illegally detain a Maldivian woman who rejected his advances. The CBI presented this claim in a court in the Indian city of Thiruvananthapuram to point out that the case falsely implicated ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan.
According to the CBI chargesheet, S Vijayan, a special branch officer at the time who later retired as a Superintendent of Police (SP), orchestrated the case after a Maldivian woman Mariyam Rasheeda rebuffed his romantic overtures. Vijayan allegedly confiscated Rasheeda's travel documents and air tickets to prevent her from leaving the country.
Also watch |India's Gaganyaan mission: ISRO completes human rating of its CE20 cryogenic engine
The chargesheet added that Vijayan later discovered Rasheeda's connection with ISRO scientist D Shasikumaran following which the Kerala Police officers placed Rasheeda and her Maldivian friend Fauzia Hasan under surveillance.
The Kerala Police notified the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB) about the two women. But they found nothing suspicious during their investigation, the CBI stated.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
‘Italy will not...’: Meloni threatens Spain’s Schengen access after thousands enter Ceuta from Morocco
)
World's largest digital camera captures over 500,000 galaxies, 50,000 stars in one stunning image
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Who is Ruchika Singh, booked for using foul language against PM Modi at Jantar Mantar protests?
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
1.8 Mn years old: Scientists discover two mysterious 'ghost ancestors' hidden in human genome - More details inside
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
'Muslims should not befriend kaafirs': Pak Army DG says India-Afghan ties that of 'master-slave'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
August 2025 movie release calendar: Toxic, Batwara 1947, Awarapan 2 and all big-ticket films hitting theatres
)
Iran-US talks to begin today after Trump halts 'biggest attack since World War 2'; Tehran dials Saudi, Pak
)
Pakistan Broad Peak avalanche: Body of US's Mallory Geis identified; Nirmal Purja, 9 others remain missing
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Can an S-400 detect a bird?
)
Spain-Israel social media feud erupts after Ceuta migrant crisis: Why Israel is being linked
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Fifth-generation fighters': Can the S-400 shoot down an F-35?
)
'FIR not withdrawn' against Noida teen who 'abused' PM Modi despite apology, claims CJP
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 openers with fastest ODI centuries, check who tops list
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are iPhones so expensive compared to Android phones?
)
At least 3 killed in mass shooting at Idaho restaurant, shocking video of gunman open firing with AR-style rifle surfaces
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
CJP's Abhijit Dipke speaks to protesting students in Jharkhand, extends support to their demands: Will he go to Ranchi?
)
‘Pakistan eroded India's faith bit by bit’: Indian envoy defends putting Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance
)
Bomb-making note found at Ayodhya medical college, 1st-year student detained. Here’s all we know
)
Have 7,000 Karnataka students tested positive for HIV? Here's the truth
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 bowlers in latest ICC Test rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
Kangana Ranaut’s Gen Z U-Turn: Actress-MP wishes youth on Friendship Day after facing backlash over 'Generation Gutter' remark
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters in latest ICC Test rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian tanks are much lighter compared to US tanks
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
One S-400 battery, dozens of targets: How it fights an air battle in seconds
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
From Tom Holland-Zendaya to Blake Lively-Ryan Reynolds: Actors who met on sets and fell in love and married
)
From trash to energy: Scientists turn plastic waste into Hydrogen fuel using a new technique - Here's how
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian jets use heavier steel compared to US jets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (August 3-9, 2026): Main Vaapas Aaunga, Uyir, Operation Safed Sagar- 6 titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian fighter pilots wear blue flight suits compared to US pilots
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How often does an S-400 need maintenance?
Also watch |Space ambitions cannot exist in isolation: ISRO Chief Dr S Somanath Exclusive on WION
Rasheeda was subsequently arrested for overstaying her visa under the Foreigners Act.
When her custody was nearing its end, Vijayan allegedly submitted a false report implicating Rasheeda and Hasan under the Official Secrets Act. After this, an espionage case was filed and was subsequently transferred to a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Also read |Explained | Spacecraft Mission Operations, the science that's steering Chandrayaan-3 to the Moon
The SIT then arrested four ISRO scientists, including Narayanan. The CBI chargesheet contends that the initial wrongful actions were added on by fabricating further charges against Narayanan and others.
In its final report, the CBI has recommended prosecuting former Director Generals of Police (DGPs) R B Sreekumar and Siby Mathews, former SPs S Vijayan and K K Joshua, and former intelligence officer P S Jayaprakash for their roles in the alleged conspiracy.
(With inputs from agencies)