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The Rediff Interview/ D Sasikumaran

'The IB man who came from Delhi came with fixed ideas which they wanted to build on'

You have been exonerated by the court, but has the case set you back professionally?

At a personal level, I am keen to get back to my job slot. I was the man responsible for the cryogenic engine in terms of fabricating and manufacturing it. I want to come back to the cryogenic project. Because of the case I was transferred to the Satellite Application Centre at Ahmedabad, which has nothing to do with the cryogenic project.

Do you think the country's commercial interest was at stake when you and Nambi Narayanan were removed from your posts?

China walked away with contracts that India could have got. India has the potential to be a major player in the world market for the 500 kg satellite. We could have quoted prices well below countries like the US and France. If the Launch Vehicle Programme is delayed, someone else benefits. At the time of the case, I was in charge of the PSLV-4 stage liquid engine while Nambi Narayanan was the overall in-charge of the cryogenic project.

It has been suggested that the ISRO case was the result of an international conspiracy to slow down India's progress in satellite technology.

It is a pursuable theory. When the case broke, the local Intelligence Bureau chaps were satisfied that we had nothing to do with it. But the IB man who came from Delhi came with fixed ideas which they wanted to build on.

What was your connection with Mariam Rasheeda?

It was a purely social contact. I have no restriction in interacting with anyone. It is my right and I will continue to do so.

How do you meet the charge that you had access to sensitive documents not pertaining to your department?

ISRO is like any other government organisation. If ISRO wants to buy a product, it approaches the market. Anybody who buys a tendering document gets all the information, including the drawings. ISRO technologies are available to any Indian. We have given away 260 technologies to people who have approached us. As far as documents are concerned, it is a totally free-flow situation at ISRO.

THE ISRO LINKS:
The untold spy story
What happens to the four years of life they have been robbed of?
Mariam Rasheeda can go home, finally!
For Maldivian Rasheeda, the ISRO espionage case nightmare is finally over
Sinned or sinned against? The tangled tale of Mariam Rasheeda
"If I step out I may be killed"

The Rediff Interviews