Cashew Corp Scam: Kerala High Court Defers Personal Appearance Of Industries Department Secretary In Contempt Case Till June 01
The Kerala High Court on Monday (25 May) deferred personal appearance of the Principal Secretary, Industries Department (Cashew) of the State government in a contempt case initiated for repeatedly denying sanction for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to prosecute allegedly corrupt ex-officials of the State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC).
Justice A. Badharudeen deferred the appearance of the Principle Secretary till 1 June, 2026.
The Court had earlier directed for the personal appearance of Mohammed Hanish, Principal Secretary of the Industries Department (Cashew) of the State.
An appeal was filed against the order for appearance before a Division Bench of the Court. During the hearing of the appeal, the Division Bench had questioned the State's locus standii and had posted the matter for further hearing.
Today, while considering the contempt, the counsel for the respondent submitted a petition seeking exemption from appearance. The Court allowed the petition, by deferring appearance till 1 June.
“Personal Appearance of the petitioner stands deferred till 01/06/2026.. And on that day if there is no stay… respondent shall appear” Court said orally
The contempt plea was moved after the State declined nod for CBI prosecution, despite a previous direction of the High Court in Kadakampally Manoj v. State of Kerala and Ors. setting aside State's first order refusing to grant sanction in the matter.
During the pendency of the contempt proceedings, the Court had passed an interim order setting aside the second order refusing sanction and directing the State to again consider CBI's request. Later, on 29.10.2025, the public prosecutor submitted that again, order was passed, refusing sanction for a third time.
The order refusing sanction has been set aside by the Court.
The CBI had sought sanction for prosecuting former officials of the KSCDC including the former Chairman R. Chandrasekharan and former Managing Director K.A. Ratheesh in a corruption case. It is alleged that they entered into criminal conspiracy with one Jaimon Joseph and dishonestly awarded contracts to its firm M/s JMJ Traders, causing losses of several crores to the Corporation.
Case Title: Kadakampally Manoj v. Mohammed Hanish
Case No: Con.Case (C) No. 908 of 2025
Counsel for Petitioner: D. Anil Kumar