KOLLAM: The Left government's appointment of a tainted officer facing a CBI probe in a graft case as the managing director of a public sector company has courted controversy.
K. A. Ratheesh, who lost his job as the MD of Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) in 2015 following this, had a bumpy ride to another cushy post.
He returned as the executive director of Kerala Institute for Entrepreneurship Development (KIED) in Kalamassery this time armed with a court order.
Mr Ratheesh is the second accused in the scam at the KSCDC involving more than Rs 500 crore in cashew deals currently investigated by the CBI.
The previous government had appointed Mr Ratheesh at the KIED after removing from the helm of the KSCDC.
After assuming office, industries minister E.P. Jayarajan cancelled this appointment, only to be reinstated by A. C. Moideen, who handled the portfolio after Mr Jayarajan had to resign following nepotism charges.
Upon his return as industries minister, Mr Jayarajan again fired Mr Ratheesh, against which he moved the Kerala High Court and earned a favourable verdict.
