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 the CBI to prosecute the accused in alleged cashew import scam. The court has set July 2 as the deadline for compliance.
A probe was initiated to examine the role of R. Chandrasekharan and P.A. Ratheesh, the former chairperson and managing director of the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation, respectively, in the alleged misappropriation of ₹600 crore in raw cashew imports between 2006 and 2015.
Mr. Biju is to be impleaded in the contempt of court petition in connection with the alleged scam. If he fails to comply with the court’s direction, action will be initiated against him, the court said on Friday (June 19).
A Single Bench of Justice A. Badharudeen on Friday expressed “extreme displeasure” at the Principal Secretary of the Industries department, A.P.M. Mohammad Hanish, for not appearing before the court, even though his appeal against an order directing his appearance before the Division Bench had been dismissed.
Mr. Hanish submitted that he could not leave the capital city due to the presentation of the Kerala Revised Budget 2026–27. The court accepted the submission and directed him to appear on June 22, warning that “coercive steps” would be initiated to secure his presence if he fails to do so.
The contempt petition was filed by Kadakampall Manoj of Kollam, after the State, through the Industries Secretary, allegedly refused sanction on three occasions for a CBI prosecution in alleged irregularities in cashew imports.
Published – June 19, 2026 08:46 pm IST
