Kerala HC threatens arrest warrant for principal secretary in CBI sanction contempt case
Kerala HC warns of arrest warrant for Industries Principal Secretary Mohammed Haneesh if he skips June 22 hearing in KSCDC corruption contempt case.
Verdicto News Desk 
The Kerala High Court has warned that it will issue an arrest warrant against Industries Department Principal Secretary Mohammed Haneesh if he fails to appear before it on June 22, in a contempt case linked to the state's refusal to sanction CBI prosecution of officials in a corruption case.
Justice A Badharudeen issued the warning on Friday after Haneesh skipped a scheduled court appearance, despite a division bench having dismissed his challenge to an earlier order directing him to appear in person.
The contempt plea was filed by Kollam resident Kadakampally Manoj, who alleged the state government had not complied with court directions to grant the CBI sanction to prosecute officials of the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) in a graft case.
During Friday's hearing, the state's lawyer told the court that Haneesh was unable to appear in person because he was occupied with Budget presentation work. The court, while noting this submission, did not let Haneesh off the hook.
It recorded its "extreme displeasure" at his reluctance to appear, and directed him to be personally present at 10:15 am on June 22, "without fail." The judge cautioned that any further failure to comply would leave the court "forced to initiate coercive steps by issuing a warrant of arrest to secure his presence" and proceed with the contempt case in accordance with law.
Background of the case
The matter traces back to 2015, when the CBI registered a corruption case against KSCDC officials, including former chairman R Chandrasekharan, following High Court directions. After completing its investigation, the agency sought the state government's sanction to prosecute those accused.
When the sanction was repeatedly denied, Manoj moved the High Court seeking enforcement of its earlier directions. The single bench subsequently initiated contempt proceedings and ordered the principal secretary's personal appearance — an order Haneesh unsuccessfully challenged before a division bench earlier this week.
