Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Kerala HC Rebukes Govt for Shielding Accused in Rs 500 Cr Cashew Import Scam
The Kerala High Court got upset with the state government for not letting a special police team called the CBI prosecute two important people from a nut company.
The company is accused of doing something wrong with a lot of money when buying nuts.
The CBI found some problems and wanted to officially accuse the two people, but the government said 'no'.
The court asked why the government would protect people accused of doing something wrong with a lot of money.
The case is about many nut-buying mistakes that happened over several years and involved a lot of money.
The CBI believes there's enough evidence to prosecute, but the government disagrees, saying there's no new proof.
The court will look at it again soon.
Kerala High Court criticized the state government for denying prosecution sanction to the CBI in a Rs 500 crore cashew import corruption case.
The case involves alleged irregularities in cashew imports between 2006 and 2015, with the CBI seeking to prosecute two former officials.
The state government argued that the CBI had not presented new evidence and failed to prove criminal intent or illegal benefit for the accused.
The High Court warned it might have to observe the government was shielding the corrupt if the stance persists, with the case to be heard again next week.
The CBI maintains the scale and pattern of irregularities warrant prosecution, while the government disputes this.
- Who
- Kerala High Court, Pinarayi Vijayan government, CBI, former Cashew Development Corporation chairman R. Chandrasekharan, and former Managing Director P.A. Ratheesh
- What
- The Kerala High Court criticized the state government for refusing to grant sanction to the CBI to prosecute two key accused in a Rs 500 crore cashew import corruption case.
- When
- Monday (when the criticism was made), investigation period 2006-2015
- Where
- Kochi, Kerala
- Why
- The High Court questioned the government's decision to deny prosecution sanction, seeing it as potentially shielding corrupt individuals, while the government cited a lack of new evidence from the CBI.
CBI's Stance
State Government's Stance
Evidence of Corruption
CBI's Stance
The CBI maintains that the scale and pattern of irregularities in cashew imports warrant prosecution.
State Government's Stance
The state government argued that the CBI failed to produce new evidence beyond its original report and could not establish illegal benefit, misuse of official position, or criminal intent by the accused.
Prosecution Sanction
CBI's Stance
Seeks prosecution sanction for former Corporation chairman R. Chandrasekharan and former Managing Director P.A. Ratheesh based on its findings.
State Government's Stance
Refused prosecution sanction, citing lack of new evidence and insufficient proof of criminal intent by the accused.
- Case Name
- Cashew Development Corporation corruption case
- Investigating Agency
- CBI
- Alleged Irregularities Amount
- Rs 500 crore
- Investigation Period
- 2006-2015
- Accused
- Former Corporation chairman R. Chandrasekharan and former Managing Director P.A. Ratheesh
- Court
- Kerala High Court