Daijiworld Media Network – Kochi

Kochi, Feb 25: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday closed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a group of lawyers challenging the registration of an FIR against its former judge, Justice C.N. Ramachandran Nair, in connection with the Rs 1,000 crore CSR funds scam. The case was initially registered last month by Police Sub-Inspector T.A. Shahul Hameed at Perinthalmanna in Malappuram district.

The move to include the former judge in the FIR had drawn criticism from an association of retired Kerala High Court judges, who asserted that the only mention of Nair in the FIR was as the patron of the NGO at the center of the scam—an allegation they claimed was baseless.

Earlier this month, when the PIL was first heard, a division bench comprising Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque and Justice P Krishna Kumar had questioned whether the police had applied due diligence before naming the former judge. Expressing concern over the potential damage to the judiciary’s reputation, the court remarked that such actions could tarnish public trust in the institution and stressed the need for careful consideration before implicating individuals who have held constitutional positions.

During Tuesday’s hearing, the court recorded a written statement from the Director General of Prosecutions, confirming that Justice Nair would be removed from the list of accused. Acknowledging this assurance, the bench directed the investigating officer to act accordingly and take the necessary steps to exclude the former judge from the case. While emphasizing that no one is above the law, the court underscored the importance of exercising caution when implicating individuals with judicial backgrounds due to the broader implications for the legal system’s credibility.

Following this directive, the PIL was closed, formally clearing the former judge of any involvement in the case.

The CSR funds scam, masterminded by Anandhu Krishnan, involved defrauding hundreds of unsuspecting victims across Kerala. Operating through an NGO, Krishnan lured people with promises of high-value products—such as scooters, laptops, and sewing machines—at heavily discounted prices. His aggressive marketing tactics convinced many to invest their savings in what appeared to be an irresistible offer.

Currently in judicial custody, Krishnan is facing extensive legal action, with the Crime Branch now leading the investigation. Over 500 cases of fraud have been registered across the state as authorities continue to uncover the full extent of the scheme.