Kerala High Court Disqualifies Vellappally Natesan and SNDP Board
Synopsis
The Kerala High Court has ruled against Vellappally Natesan, removing him from his role as General Secretary of the SNDP Yogam, and disqualifying the entire Board for corporate violations, marking a significant shift in organizational leadership.
Key Takeaways
Vellappally Natesan removed as General Secretary.
Entire SNDP Board disqualified for corporate violations.
Failure to submit annual financial statements for nine years .
About 170 Board members declared ineligible.
A temporary Board will oversee organizational affairs.
Kochi, March 12 (NationPress) In a significant ruling, the Kerala High Court has removed Vellappally Natesan from his position as General Secretary of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP Yogam) and disqualified the entire Board of office-bearers due to breaches of corporate regulations.
The SNDP, representing the influential Hindu Ezhava community, has been under Natesan's leadership for over 25 years.
This verdict was handed down by a Bench led by Justice C.T. Ravi while reviewing petitions from prominent author and social activist M.K. Sanu and S. Chandrasenan, the chair of the Protection Committee, who raised concerns about serious irregularities within the organization.
Alongside Natesan, several high-ranking officials were also disqualified, including Tushar Vellappally (Natesan's son), M.N. Soman (President), and Arayakkandi Santhosh (Devaswom Secretary).
In total, approximately 170 Board members were declared ineligible to remain in their roles.
The court highlighted that the SNDP Yogam, registered under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, had neglected to adhere to essential corporate regulations.
Notably, the organization failed to submit its annual income and expenditure reports for nearly nine years.
The court remarked that the absence of statutory accounts for three consecutive years could lead to disqualification, noting the SNDP leadership had not filed financial statements since 2014.
Moreover, it was observed that several directors lacked the necessary Director Identification Number (DIN) as mandated by corporate governance standards.
Considering these infractions alongside the Registrar of Companies' report, the High Court determined that the current office bearers were legally disqualified from their positions.
The court mandated the appointment of a new Board of Directors to oversee the organization's operations.
In the interim, a temporary Board will take charge of the SNDP Yogam's affairs and ensure that new elections are conducted in compliance with legal requirements.
In response to the ruling, Natesan confirmed his removal and that of the entire board, stating he would review the judgment before making further comments.
This ruling represents a major legal defeat for Natesan, who has wielded considerable influence over the organization for decades.
Point of View
Vellappally Natesan's removal and the disqualification of the SNDP Board reflect a critical moment in governance within influential organizations. This case underscores the importance of adherence to corporate regulations and the accountability of leadership in community-based organizations. As the situation evolves, it could reshape the dynamics of the Ezhava community's representation.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the disqualification of Vellappally Natesan?
Vellappally Natesan was disqualified due to serious violations of corporate regulations, including the failure to submit annual financial statements for nearly nine years.
How many Board members were affected by the court's ruling?
Approximately 170 Board members were declared ineligible to continue in their positions following the court's decision.
What will happen to the SNDP Yogam after this ruling?
A temporary Board will manage the SNDP Yogam's affairs until a new Board of Directors is appointed and fresh elections are conducted.
Who were the other notable figures disqualified alongside Natesan?
Other disqualified figures include Vice-President Tushar Vellappally, President M.N. Soman, and Devaswom Secretary Arayakkandi Santhosh.
What was the court's reasoning behind the disqualifications?
The court cited non-compliance with mandatory corporate regulations and the absence of statutory financial reports as key reasons for the disqualifications.
