Kochi | The state government on Thursday told the Kerala High Court that it has decided to grant sanction to the CBI to prosecute KSCDC officials in a 2015 corruption case.

Justice A Badharudeen recorded the submission by Advocate General Jaju Babu that sanction for prosecution will be granted to the agency and directed that the same be produced on the next date of hearing on July 8.

The court was hearing a contempt petition filed by Kollam native Kadakampally Manoj alleging non-compliance with its directions regarding the grant of sanction to the CBI to prosecute Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) officials in the graft case.

The corruption case dates back to 2015 when the CBI registered a case into alleged irregularities in the KSCDC following directions from the High Court.

After completing its investigation, the agency sought sanction from the state government to prosecute the accused, including former KSCDC chairman R Chandrasekharan.

Subsequently, Manoj approached the court seeking implementation of its directions to grant prosecution sanction to the CBI.

Following repeated delays in granting sanction, the single bench initiated contempt proceedings and directed the personal appearance of the Principal Secretary of the Industries Department.