The Principal Secretary of Industries, A.P.M. Mohammad Hanish, appeared before the Kerala High Court on Monday (June 22, 2026) and submitted an unconditional apology in a contempt of court petition filed in connection with the alleged irregularities in the import of raw cashew by Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation.

Kadakampally Manoj of Kollam filed the contempt plea after the State Government refused to sanction a CBI probe into the alleged misappropriation of ₹600 crore in the import of raw cashew between 2006 and 2015, thrice.

The High Court had earlier warned Mr. Hanish that he would have to appear in person, or else ‘coercive steps’ would be initiated to secure his presence.

K. Biju, the current Secretary in charge of the Cashew Development Department, sought time to reconsider the denial of sanction for a CBI probe into the alleged misappropriation.

The matter is posted for further consideration on July 2.