Cashew scam: Kerala HC asks Cashew Dept. Secretary to revise apology
The Kerala High Court has directed the Secretary of the Cashew Department to revise an affidavit regarding a cashew import scam. The court requires the official to explicitly state that he independently evaluated CBI evidence before granting prosecution sanction against specific former officials.
Why it matters
This case highlights judicial oversight in administrative accountability and the importance of due process in corruption investigations.
The Kerala High Court on Friday asked K. Biju, Secretary of the Cashew Department, to modify his affidavit in the cashew import scam and mention there was enough evidence to issue prosecution sanction against INTUC State president and former Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) Chairperson R. Chandrasekharan and former managing director K. A. Ratheesh.
The court also directed the official to mention in the affidavit that he had independently evaluated the materials given by the CBI while deciding on the prosecution sanction.
Justice A. Badharudeen issued the directives while considering the unconditional apology filed by Mr. Biju. The court asked the official to file a fresh affidavit making the modifications.
An earlier government order clearing the sanction had run into controversy after it was mentioned that the prosecution sanction was issued following the instructions from the court.
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