Kerala ex-DGP slams Padma Bhushan to ex-ISRO scientist

Nambi Narayanan, arrested in the ISRO spy case in 1994, got relief in September last year when the Supreme Court held that he had been framed.

nambi narayanan, tp senkumar, kerala dgp, supreme court, isro issue, indian express news

Nambi Narayanan dismissed Senkumar’s allegations

Former Kerala DGP T P Senkumar on Saturday criticised the Centre’s decision to honour former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan with the Padma Bhushan and questioned his contribution in the field of science.

Narayanan, arrested in the ISRO spy case in 1994, got relief in September last year when the Supreme Court held that he had been framed. He dismissed Senkumar’s remarks.

Senkumar said, “When the Supreme Court has constituted a committee headed by a retired SC judge to find out the truth in the ISRO issue, those who are responsible to obey the court’s orders should have waited until the findings of the committee (were disclosed)…. If the committee finds Narayanan was a great scientist, I would not hesitate to welcome even if he is awarded the Bharat Ratna.’’

Senkumar also said, “If things go like this, I think next year Govindachamy, Ameerul Islam (both convicted in rape and murder cases in Kerala) and Mariyam Rasheeda, who was left out from this year’s awardees, would be conferred even Padma Vibhushan next year.’’ .
Rasheeda, a Maldives national, was another alleged accused in the spy case.

Senkumar claimed that Narayanan had made little contribution to ISRO. “I know thousands of scientists… I had asked them about the contribution of this man (Narayanan). Let someone say about his contribution.”

Narayanan said the former DGP is trying to misconstrue the Supreme Court judgment. “The court had formed the committee to probe the role of police officials, not me. Senkumar is an accused in my petition. He may be jittery over that,’’ he said.

Senkumar, who appears to have warmed up to the Sangh Parivar after his retirement in 2017, said those who recommended Narayanan’s name should answer for this. Last Sunday, speaking at a meeting of Ayyappa devotees, Senkumar had said the Constitution should be amended so that the majority community enjoys the same rights as minorities do.

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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