The trailer of ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’, which is actor R Madhavan’s directorial debut, released on Thursday. Madhavan, in the film, plays the role of the protagonist — Nambi Narayanan, the ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), who was accused and arrested over espionage and spent the prime years of his career struggling with the charges, which later came out as false. 

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Here’s all about Nambi Narayanan:

Narayanan, an Indian scientist and aerospace engineer headed ISRO’s cryogenics department and steered for the use of liquid-fuelled engines for the space agency’s future programmes. 

However, at the peak of his career, the scientist was accused and arrested on the charge of transferring the cryogenic engine technology to Pakistan.

The case was linked to Mariam Rasheeda, a Maldivian national, who was initially charged over her overstay in India. In October 1994, the Kerala police in Thiruvananthapuram registered a case against her.

Upon further interrogation, the police made out a case that she was linked to ISRO scientists, who used her as a medium to transfer the technology to Pakistan.

Consequently, Narayanan and his fellow scientist,  D Sasikumaran, were arrested.

Officers of the Intelligence Bureau interrogated the duo. The case was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

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In its closure report submitted to the chief judicial magistrate’s court in Kochi in 1996, the central investigation agency said that the espionage charges against the scientists were false. 

In 2018, the Supreme Court granted Rs 50 lakh compensation to Narayanan over the case that cost him his career. He also filed a complaint against police officers who framed him.