In a major blow to the leadership of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, the Kerala High Court on Thursday ordered the disqualification of all its office bearers and the entire Board of Directors, including long-standing General Secretary Vellappally Natesan and Thushar Vellappally.
The order was passed by Justice T.R. Ravi while hearing a batch of petitions that alleged serious irregularities in the functioning of the prominent Ezhava community organization. Among the petitioners was the late Professor M.K. Sanoo, who had moved the court seeking intervention into the organization’s governance.
The High Court’s decision centers on the organization’s failure to adhere to mandatory statutory requirements under the Companies Act. Because the SNDP Yogam is registered as a company, it is bound by specific regulatory and filing obligations.
During the proceedings, it was established that the violation of these statutory requirements was not limited to individuals but applied to the governance of the organization as a whole. Consequently, the court found it necessary to disqualify the entire leadership structure to address the systemic non-compliance.
The ruling removes some of the most influential figures in Kerala’s socio-political landscape:
- Vellappally Natesan: The General Secretary who has steered the organization for decades.
- Thushar Vellappally: A prominent member of the Board and leader of the BDJS party.
- Entire Board of Directors: Every member currently serving on the Board has been stripped of their position.
The SNDP Yogam is one of Kerala’s most powerful community organizations, representing the Ezhava community and founded on the principles of social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. The disqualification of its entire leadership marks a historic moment in the organization’s century-old history and raises questions about its future administrative roadmap.
While the court has pronounced the disqualification, the legal community and the organization’s members are currently awaiting the detailed written order to understand the specific timeline for new elections or the appointment of an interim administrator.
