Thiruvananthapuram: The UDF government in Kerala has granted sanction to prosecute INTUC state president R. Chandrasekharan and others in the CBI's cashew import corruption case, reversing the previous LDF government's decision to deny permission. Sanction has also been granted to prosecute K.A. Ratheesh, former Managing Director of the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC).

The approval was issued on Wednesday evening, a day before the Kerala High Court was due to hear the matter on Thursday. The decision follows repeated legal scrutiny over the previous government's refusal to permit prosecution.

Government changes course after High Court intervention

The CBI had sought prosecution sanction against the accused, but the previous LDF government rejected the request on three occasions despite directions from the Kerala High Court.

The LDF administration had argued that the investigating agency had identified only procedural irregularities and that the available evidence did not justify granting sanction for prosecution.

Its refusal also resulted in contempt proceedings against Industries Department Additional Chief Secretary A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish for non-compliance with the High Court's directions.

Following the change in government, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan directed officials to comply with the High Court's order, leading to the fresh decision to grant prosecution sanction.

Political debate surrounding the case

The earlier decision not to prosecute Chandrasekharan had triggered political debate, with questions reportedly being raised even within the CPM over why the LDF government had declined to grant sanction against the INTUC leader.

The issue gained further prominence during the ASHA workers' agitation, when Chandrasekharan publicly supported the then LDF government. Critics alleged that his position was linked to the government's refusal to permit prosecution. The allegation intensified political criticism, prompting Congress leaders to clarify that the INTUC's stand did not represent the party's official position.

Chandrasekharan's ties with Satheesan had seen shifts

Chandrasekharan had also expressed support for V.D. Satheesan during the Congress leadership's debate over the chief ministerial face.

However, the relationship between the two had previously been marked by public differences. In 2022, a dispute broke out after Satheesan, then Leader of the Opposition, publicly distanced the Congress from the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), stating that it should not be regarded as the party's "feeder organisation". He also criticised the trade union over violent protests during a nationwide strike.

The remarks sparked protests by a section of INTUC workers, who staged demonstrations against Satheesan, raised slogans in support of Chandrasekharan and vandalised photographs of the then Opposition leader.