Cashew import scam: Kerala HC issues contempt notice to dept secretary K. Biju over CBI probe order
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday asked K. Biju, Secretary in-charge of the Cashew Development Department, to appear and furnish reasons as to why he
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday asked K. Biju, Secretary in-charge of the Cashew Development Department, to appear and furnish reasons as to why he should not be held in contempt of the court, while considering a sanction order allowing CBI to prosecute two former officials allegedly involved in the import of raw cashew by the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC).
Biju issued the sanction order on July 2 and revised it on July 6. The court observed that the first order was accusatory and stated that the High Court had assumed the role of a trial court in the contempt proceedings and that the State was coerced into granting the saction.
However, in the revised order issued on July 6, the State only reserved its right to appeal. The sanction order was to prosecute R. Chandrasekharan and K.A. Ratheesh, the former chairperson and managing director of the KSCDC respectively, following a High Court order in a contempt of court petition filed by Kadakampally Manoj of Kollam.
Justice A. Badharudeen issued a contempt of court notice to Mr. Biju and asked him to appear in person on July 10.
The BriefWire