Pulled up for ignoring directives, top bureaucrat Hanish says sorry to Kerala HC

Kochi, June 22 (IANS) Senior IAS officer Mohammed Hanish, who was earlier holding charge as Principal Secretary, Industries (Cashew), appeared in person before the Kerala High Court on Monday and tendered an unconditional apology in the contempt proceedings initiated against him for allegedly failing to comply with the court’s directions.

The appearance came after the court expressed strong displeasure over Hanish’s repeated refusal to issue a sanction for prosecuting former officials of the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC), despite specific directions to reconsider the matter in the light of the court’s findings.

Justice A. Badharudeen, while hearing the matter, questioned Hanish over his failure to follow repeated orders passed by the court.

The judge asked whether the officer was capable of understanding the orders and judgments of the court and why he could not issue the order in accordance with the directions.

“Am I right in saying that you are capable of understanding the orders and judgments of this court? Have you gone through the orders passed by this court repeatedly? Then why can’t you issue this order, considering the directions issued by this court?” he asked.

The judge observed that Hanish had repeatedly neglected the directions issued by the court and appeared to have taken his own view of the matter.

“You repeatedly neglected directions issued by this court and found your own opinion? In a biased manner? I don’t know what is the reason for passing such an order,” Justice Badharudeen remarked.

The contempt petition was filed by Kadakampally Manoj after Hanish, who was then holding charge of the Industries Department (Cashew), failed to comply with the High Court’s order directing him to reconsider the sanction issue after the court found prima facie materials to prosecute former KSCDC officials.

The High Court had earlier set aside Hanish’s orders denying sanction and directed him to pass fresh orders granting sanction for prosecution.

Despite being given additional opportunities, Hanish again rejected the request, following which the court initiated contempt proceedings and ordered his personal appearance.

Hanish had challenged the direction for personal appearance before a Division Bench, but the appeal was dismissed.

The court subsequently insisted on his presence.

During Monday’s hearing, Hanish submitted an affidavit tendering an unconditional apology.

The court recorded his submission and noted that he had since been transferred from the charge of Secretary, Industries Department (Cashew).

Meanwhile, the court had earlier directed the present officer in charge of the Cashew Development Department, K. Biju, to pass an order on the sanction for prosecuting the alleged corrupt ex-officials of KSCDC by July 9.

After hearing the submissions, the court posted the matter for July 2 to consider Hanish’s apology and decide on further steps.

The controversy relates to allegations of corruption involving former KSCDC officials, where the prosecution had sought government sanction to proceed against the accused.

The High Court’s intervention came after it found that the earlier administrative decision refusing a sanction was contrary to its observations on the available material.

–IANS

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