Law tells DoS: Hear out ISRO scientists

The scientists have said they had no idea that it was their conduct or alleged role in the deal that was being inquired into when they interacted with the two panels that probed the matter.

The DoS is now likely to ask the blacklisted scientists to present their side of the story,sources in the Law Ministry said.

As first reported by The Indian Express,the DoS had sought the opinion of the Attorney General on whether the January 13 order blacklisting the four top space scientists,including former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) G Madhavan Nair,from future government jobs was consistent with principles of natural justice.

The Law Ministry has said that once the scientists are allowed an opportunity to be heard,their lament that they were unfairly treated will be addressed.

Vahanvati is learnt to have said that while the action against the scientists was not punitive in nature,the government should follow the principle of natural justice: that justice is not only done but is also seen to be done.

The decision to seek the Attorney Generals opinion was necessitated in light of the uproar in the scientific community over the lack of transparency in the process leading to issuance of the order and the DoS failure to provide adequate opportunity to Nair,A Bhaskarnarayana,former scientific secretary in ISRO; K R Sridharmurthi,former managing director of Antrix; and K N Shankara,former director of ISROs satellite centre; to explain their position.