The Kerala High Court has directed Biju K., the government secretary in charge of the Cashew Development Department, to comply with its order to reconsider granting sanction for a CBI probe into the alleged cashew import scam. The court has fixed July 2 as the deadline for compliance and warned that action would be initiated if the order is not followed.
The case relates to an alleged scam involving the import of raw cashew between 2006 and 2015. The proposed investigation seeks to examine the role of R. Chandrasekharan and P.A. Ratheesh, the former chairperson and managing director, respectively, of the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation, in the alleged misappropriation of ₹600 crore.
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Court Sets Deadline for Compliance
The High Court said Biju K. would be impleaded in a contempt of court petition connected to the alleged scam. The court stated that failure to comply with its direction by July 2 would invite further action.
The order was issued as part of proceedings concerning the State’s decision on whether to grant sanction for a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities linked to cashew imports.
Judge Expresses Displeasure Over Non-Appearance
A Single Bench of Justice A. Badharudeen expressed what the order described as “extreme displeasure” at the absence of Principal Secretary of the Industries Department, A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, from the court proceedings.
The court noted that Hanish had failed to appear despite an earlier order directing his presence after his appeal against a previous directive requiring his appearance before the Division Bench had been dismissed.
Principal Secretary Directed to Appear
Hanish informed the court that he was unable to leave the State capital because of the presentation of the Kerala Revised Budget 2026-27. The court accepted the explanation and directed him to appear on June 22.
The contempt petition was filed by Kadakampally Manoj of Kollam. According to the petition, the State, through the Industries Secretary, had refused sanction for a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in cashew imports. The court warned that coercive steps would be taken to secure Hanish’s presence if he failed to appear as directed.
