Above: RB Sreekumar’s acquittal order - Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
Former Gujarat DGP RB Sreekumar, known for his association with activist Teesta Setalvad for raising issues related to riots and encounters against Gujarat Government had allegedly master-mind to brand a patriotic scientist Dr. Nambi Narayanan of ISRO as a traitor and fabricated a espionage case against him. Despite his heinous crime affecting nation’s interest, all the charges against him, were dropped by UPA Government.
During 1994, RB Sreekumar was Dy. Director, Intelligence Bureau (IB), in Trivandrum and was entrusted the investigation in the ISRO espionage case. Sreekumar not only brand Dr. Narayanan as traitor but also ill-treated him including physical torture during his 50 days custody.
Narayanan, an Indian scientist of repute started his career way back in 1966 with ISRO. He was sent him to Princeton University for further studies. Narayanan, who completed his Ph.D, got attractive offers that include one from NASA, but he preferred to work for his country and adhered with ISRO.
It was Narayanan who introduced the Liquid Fuel Rocket Technology in India in early 1970, when former President of India A.P.J Abdul Kalam was scientist and his team was working on Solid Motors. The above facts suggest that Narayanan was one of the top scientists of India and never enticed by lucrative offers. The fallout of the ISRO spy case led to a brilliant Rocket scientist losing his entire career and in the process, the nation suffered immensely.
In December 1994, the case was handed over to CBI. On 01.05.1995, CBI submitted the closure report in a special court in Kochi stating that there was no case of espionage and all the accused persons, including Dr. Narayanan were released. It was clear that ISRO spy case was a fabricated case done at the behest of individuals and entities inimical to the success of ISRO and India. CBI in its closure report also recommended departmental action against RB Sreekumar. Dr. Narayanan was granted an interim compensation of Rs. 10 lacs by the NHRC.
Based on CBI recommendation, in November 1999 the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), under NDA rule, initiated disciplinary proceedings against Sreekumar and was served a charge sheet having 9 articles of charge that include physically taking over the possession of the accused persons from the lawful custody of Kerala Police, torturing, ill-treating accused persons, not preparing written statement of interrogation and conducting independent investigation, disassociating the Kerala Police etc. Sreekumar deliberately misrepresented the facts causing irreparable loss to a highly respected scientist. Sreekumar was directed to submit his reply within ten days.
Things changed dramatically in second half of 2004, when the UPA Govt. came to power. On 13th December, 2004, MHA issued an order dropping 7 out of 9 charges without even conducting any enquiry against Sreekumar. For remaining 2 charges, an oral enquiry was ordered on 13th December, 2004 itself.
In just about one months time i.e. on 24th January, 2005, the entire process of appointing the enquiry officer, examining the witnesses, conducting and completing the enquiry, submitting the enquiry report, consideration of enquiry report on various levels and issuing the final order, dropping remaining two charges against Sreekumar was completed. The swiftness of this enquiry has no parallel in the history of Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
As a part of quid-pro-quo, Sreekumar after January, 2005, launched a tirade, full of lies, along with Teesta Setalvad against the Gujarat Govt. for political reasons.
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