Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 27: The Kerala government has declined sanction to prosecute former officials of the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) in a graft case lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), officials said on Friday.
The case pertains to alleged irregularities in procurement and financial transactions within KSCDC during the tenure of the accused officials. The CBI had sought sanction from the state government to proceed with prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Government sources confirmed that after examining the records and recommendations, the state declined to grant sanction, citing lack of sufficient grounds to pursue prosecution. The decision effectively halts further legal proceedings against the former KSCDC officials in the case.
The CBI had registered the case following complaints of financial mismanagement and alleged corruption in the corporation’s operations. Investigations pointed to irregularities in contracts and procurement processes, prompting the agency to seek prosecution sanction.
The refusal of sanction has drawn attention to the state’s handling of corruption allegations in public sector undertakings, with observers noting that the decision may have wider implications for accountability and transparency in governance.
