'Govt Moving With Corrupt Persons': Kerala High Court Remarks As State Again Declines Sanction For CBI To Prosecute Ex-Officials Of Cashew Corp

Third time after the Kerala government refused sanction for CBI to prosecute allegedly corrupt ex-officials of the State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC), the High Court orally slammed the government for "protecting" corrupt persons.“Government is moving with the corrupt persons…I am inclined to write this in another judgment. This is very very contemptuous attitude. Why the government is saving two individuals? Then who are behind him? It is very pathetic state of affairs,” Justice A. Badharudeen remarked orally.The Court was dealing with a contempt petition moved after the State, despite a previous direction of the High Court in Kadakampally Manoj v. State of Kerala and Ors setting aside State's refusal to grant sanction in the matter, again declined nod for CBI prosecution.CBI has 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.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. The Court also recorded the contempt petitioner's plea that he has the right to challenge the said order also.Yesterday, the counsel for the contempt petitioner told the Court that an additional affidavit was filed narrating facts and framing additional memo of charges since the subsequent conduct is also a contemptuous one. The public prosecutor had sought a week's time to file counter affidavit.The Court recorded the same and orally said that the government is now being seen to protect corrupt officials.Case No: Con.Case (C) No. 908 of 2025Case Title: Kadakampally Manoj v. Mohammed HanishClick to Read/Download Interim Order dated 21.08.2025

'Govt Moving With Corrupt Persons': Kerala High Court Remarks As State Again Declines Sanction For CBI To Prosecute Ex-Officials Of Cashew Corp

K. Salma Jennath

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