Space scientist alleges poisoning at Isro
Tapan Misra says he was poisoned ahead of promotion interview
Odisha-born space scientist Tapan Misra has alleged that he was poisoned with the deadly arsenic trioxide on May 23, 2017 at the headquarters of Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) at Bengaluru, when he had gone there to attend a promotion interview.
Misra is a senior adviser at the Isro and is retiring at the end of this month. The scientist said he came out in public as he feared for his life post retirement.
In a much more serious allegation, Misra said: “I will also not rule it out as a new modus operandi of adjusting seniority and clearing me, who was perceived as an obstacle. Whatever may be the reason, it was a great shame for the country and our security apparatus.”
“My contribution was in developing radar imaging satellites — RISAT, considered a very high-grade technology. We can watch the earth’s surface in any situation, be it day or night, using this system.
“The motive appears to be an espionage attack, embedded in the government set-up, to remove a scientist with critical contribution of very large military and commercial significance, like expertise in building synthetic aperture radar,” he said.
“This radar system is 10 times costlier (than the indigenous one) if we buy it (from others),” he said.
“The motive appears to be an espionage attack, embedded in the government set-up, to remove a scientist with critical contribution of very large military and commercial significance, like expertise in building synthetic aperture radar,” he said.
“A fatal dose was probably mixed with chutney served with snacks after lunch. What followed was a nightmare lasting for almost two years. I suffered from severe loss of blood to the tune of 30 to 40 per cent through anal bleeding. I could barely come back from hospital in Ahmedabad. It was followed by severe breathing difficulty, unusual skin eruptions and skin shedding,” the scientist said in a Facebook post on January 5. He said he was in hospitals for three years.
“It was followed by loss of nails on feet and hands, terrible neurological issues due to hypoxia, skeletal pain, unusual sensations, one suspected heart attack and arsenic depositions and fungal infections on every inch of skin and internal organs,” he added.