Cashew corporation scam: CBI adds corruption charges against K.A. Ratheesh, R. Chandrasekharan
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted a report to the Kerala High Court stating that offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted a report to the Kerala High Court stating that offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (PC Act) have also been added to the charges against K.A. Ratheesh and R. Chandrasekharan in connection with the alleged misappropriation of funds in the import of raw cashew by the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) between 2006 and 2015. Ratheesh was the managing director of the KSCDC and Mr. Chandrasekharan its chairperson. The CBI has added the additional charges of criminal misconduct by a public servant and intentionally enriching oneself illicitly under the PC Act to the existing charges of cheating and criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
The report was filed in a contempt of court petition arising from the State’s refusal to grant sanction to prosecute the officials in violation of a previous court order. The CBI received the prosecution sanction in mid-July 2026 almost a year after the contempt plea was moved in the court. Recently, the CBI was asked to respond to a petition by K.M. Shajahan, former Additional Private Secretary to the late former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, questioning the continued posting of Mr. Ratheesh in key posts in the government, after being chargesheeted in a multi-crore misappropriation case.
In this instance, the court had orally remarked that it was a ‘sorry state of affairs.’ The court recorded that the matter needed serious consideration since corruption is a menace in society. Ratheesh currently holds the positions of Secretary, Kerala Khadi and Village Industries Board; Managing Director, RUTRONIX (Kerala State Rural Women’s Electronics Industrial Cooperative Federation Ltd.); and Chief Executive Officer of the Kerala Khadi Workers’ Welfare Fund Board. Ratheesh told The Hindu that he does not know anything about the CBI’s report before the court.
He stated that he has not resigned yet and that he would meet with the Additional Chief Secretary, Industries department, to discuss the matter. He said that he found the court’s remarks inappropriate and that he would question them before appropriate forums.
The BriefWire