In Brief
S. Nambi Narayanan, a senior ISRO scientist, was arrested in 1994 on espionage charges that were later found to be entirely baseless. The CBI's investigation concluded the allegations were false and criticised the Kerala police's conduct. Despite this exoneration and a Supreme Court judgment quashing the re-investigation order, the State Government refused to take disciplinary action against the erring officers, citing delay. The High Court upheld this refusal. The Supreme Court allowed Narayanan's appeal, awarding Rs. 50 lakhs compensation for violation of his fundamental right to life and dignity under Article 21. The Court held that torture encompasses mental agony and humiliation in custody, not just physical violence, and directed constitution of a committee to take action against the erring officials."
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