Mohammed Hanish, who formerly held charge of the Principal Secretary, Industries Department (Cashew) of the State government, on Monday (June 22) appeared before the Kerala High Court and tendered his unconditional apology in the contempt proceedings initiated against him.

The contempt plea was filed by Kadakampally Manoj after Hanish, who still holds the charge of Industries Department, failed to comply with the High Court direction asking him to re-consider sanction in light of its finding that there were prima facie materials to prosecute the KSCDC ex-officials.

Though the Court had given Hanish two more chances to grant sanction in accordance with its direction, Hanish passed orders denying sanction. Subsequently, the Court had called for his personal appearance, which he had challenged before the Division Bench but was dismissed.

Today, when Hanish appeared in person before the Court, Justice A. Badharudeen orally asked him:

"Am I right in saying that you are capable of understanding the orders and judgments of this Court? Have you gone through the orders passed by this Court repeatedly? Then why can't you issue this order considering the directions issued by this Court?...Why you failed to understand what is meant by the orders passed by this Court repeatedly? You, repeatedly, even neglected directions issued by this Court and found your own opinion? In a biased manner? I don't know what is the reason for passing such an order."

The Court also noted that an affidavit was filed by Hanish tendering his unconditional apology in the contempt proceedings:

During the last hearing, the Court had ordered the present officer in charge of Cashew Development department, K. Biju IAS, to pass sanction order to prosecute the alleged corrupt ex-officials of the State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) by July 9.

After hearing the parties, the Court passed an interim order:

"First respondent [Mohammed Hanish] appears and he would submit that now he has been transferred from the charge of Secretary, Industries department (cashew) and he had tendered his unconditional apology by an affidavit last time. In view of the submissions, await directions issued to the 2nd respondent [K. Biju] and compliance thereof. Post this matter on 02/07 to consider the apology and further steps."

The case will now be taken up on July 2 (Thursday).

Background

On April 10, the Court set aside Hanish's orders denying sanction and found him to be in prima facie contempt of court. It also ordered Hanish (who then held charge of the Cashew's department) to pass order granting sanction to prosecute the accused. However, instead of complying, he appealed before the Division Bench, which dismissed the appeal last week.

Noting that his appeal was dismissed, the Court had expressed extreme displeasure at the non-appearance of Hanish inspite of positive direction to do so and had asked him to appear today without fail.

Case No: Con.Case (C) No. 908 of 2025

Case Title: Kadakampally Manoj v. Mohammed Hanish