Govt. accords formal sanction for CBI prosecution in cashew import scam

The State government has formally accorded sanction to prosecute former Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) chairperson and INTUC State president R. Chandrasekharan and former managing director K.A. Ratheesh in the raw cashew nut import corruption case.

The government order, issued on July 6, was produced before the Kerala High Court in an affidavit filed by Industries Secretary K. Biju on Tuesday in the contempt proceedings initiated over the government’s repeated refusal to grant sanction.

In the affidavit, the Secretary informed the court that the government had decided to accord prosecution sanction under the view that there was prima facie evidence against the accused. At the same time, the affidavit clarified that the decision was being taken without prejudice to the government’s right to move the Supreme Court against the High Court’s judgments and orders.

The official also submitted that there had been no wilful delay or negligence in complying with the court’s directives after he assumed charge, and requested that any inconvenience caused to the court be pardoned.

The High Court had earlier directed Mr. Biju to comply with its order to reconsider granting sanction for the CBI to prosecute the accused in the scam. The court also warned that action would be initiated against him if he failed to comply with the order.

The contempt petition was filed by Kadakampally Manoj of Kollam, after the State government refused sanction for CBI prosecution in the alleged irregularities in cashew imports on three occasions.