Achuthanandan supports Murali`s demand in ISRO spy case

VS Achuthanandan endorsed the demand of Cong leader K Muraleedharan for a probe into the `political conspiracy` behind the 1994 ISRO espionage case.

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI-M veteran and opposition leader in the Kerala assembly VS Achuthanandan on Thursday endorsed the demand of Congress leader K Muraleedharan for a probe into the `political conspiracy` behind the 1994 ISRO espionage case.

Allegations made by Muraleedharan, MLA, that "if there was any conspiracy, the then Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao could have a role in it" was a very serious one, Achuthanandan told reporters here today.

Some Congress leaders have supported the demand of Murali holding that there was merit in his charges, Achuthanandan said, adding, `in thes circumstances, a high level probe was necessary`.

Referring to charge by Congress leader and former Union Minister M M Jacob that Defence Minister "A K Antony, the main beneficiary of the spy scandal and was among those who worked behind the case", that led to exit of late K Karunakaran, father of Muralidheeran, as Chief Minister in mid-90s, Achuthanandan said it was a very serious allegation against the Defence Minister of the country.

Antony replaced Karunakaran as Chief Minister in 1995 after a section in the Congress levelled charges against Karunakaran that he was shielding a police officer allegedly involved in the case.

Putting pressure on state government to take action against the three police officials who initiated the spy case, Muraleedharan today said there should not be any delay in taking action against the officials.

Muraleedharan said it was unfortunate that KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala "who knew everything about the spy case" was now keeping "silence" on his demand.

Muraleedharan was of the view that a probe was essential to prove the "innocence" of his father.

CBI while closing the case had recommended action against three police officials for their `unprofessional investigation into the case`. However, the state government decided to drop action against the officials.

The case is back in the limelight after Kerala High Court ordering the government to pay Rs 10 lakh compensation to former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan, who along with five others, including another space scientist was charged by police in the case.

PTI

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