Former Kerala High Court judge, Justice CN Ramachandran Nair, has been named as an accused in a cheating case linked to the multi-crore Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund scam.
The case revolves around allegations that Ananthu Krishnan defrauded multiple individuals and charitable organizations by falsely promising heavily discounted two-wheelers, laptops, sewing machines, and household appliances, claiming these were procured using CSR funds from private companies.
According to the police, Krishnan, who presented himself as the coordinator of the National NGO Confederation, reached out to various charitable societies, persuading them to identify beneficiaries and pool funds with him. Several complaints have since been filed across police stations in Kerala against him.
Justice Ramachandran Nair has been named as the third accused in an FIR registered by Perinthalmanna Police Station, Malappuram, based on a complaint by Danimon, president of the Angadippuram Kisan Service Society (KSS), an implementing agency. The complaint alleges that the NGO Confederation and its office bearers misappropriated ₹34 lakh from KSS between April and November 2024.
The FIR, which names the National NGO Confederation as the first accused, lists charges under Sections 318(4) (cheating inducing delivery of property) and 3(5) (offence committed by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Krishnan has been named as the second accused in his capacity as the Confederation’s chairman, while Justice Nair has been named in connection with his alleged role as a trustee.
However, Justice Nair has dismissed the allegations, asserting that he was never a trustee and had severed all ties with the NGO some time ago.
The development has sparked controversy, particularly as Justice Nair was recently appointed by the Kerala government to lead an inquiry commission on the Munambam land dispute. Following the FIR, High Court lawyer Kulathoor Jaisingh has written to the Chief Minister seeking his removal from the commission.
The scam has also implicated several other prominent figures, with complaints filed against IUML MLA Najeeb Kanthapuram and Congress leader Laly Vincent. The Kerala High Court recently granted Vincent interim protection from arrest. Additionally, an NGO led by BJP leader AN Radhakrishnan has also been named in certain complaints.