Kerala High Court Removes Vellappally Natesan From SNDP Yogam Top Post Over Audit Lapse, Cites Accounts Not Filed for 3 Years

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

The Kerala High Court ordered the removal of Vellappally Natesan as General Secretary of SNDP Yogam after ruling that failure to file audited financial statements for three consecutive years disqualified its directors under company law.

KERALA: The Kerala High Court ordered the removal of SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan from his position after determining that the organization failed to submit its financial statements within the legally required timeframe.

Justice TR Ravi stated that the failure to file audited accounts for three consecutive years resulted in the disqualification of the directors of the Aruvippuram Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP Yogam), which is classified as a non-trading company. Consequently, the Court ruled that Natesan and other officials serving as directors could not retain their positions.

ALSO READ: Madras High Court Sets Aside Civil Court Order, Upholds Challenge to EPS’ Election as AIADMK General Secretary

The Court was reviewing multiple petitions, including one filed by the late noted author and professor MK Sanu, which challenged the ongoing tenure of SNDP Yogam office bearers due to their lack of financial filings over several years.

The petitioners argued that SNDP Yogam, governed by the Companies Act of 2013, failed to submit its audited financial statements to the relevant authorities in a timely manner, violating statutory obligations related to financial transparency and accountability.

It was pointed out that the Companies Act stipulates disqualification for directors if a company does not file its financial statements or annual returns for a continuous period of three years.

ALSO READ: Suo Motu Cognizance | “Despite Representations, No Action Taken”: Kerala High Court Slams Inaction As Students Forced To Study In Floodwaters

The petitioners maintained that such non-compliance rendered the directors ineligible to continue serving in their roles under the applicable company law provisions.

As a result, they sought the disqualification of Natesan and other office bearers, including Yogam president Dr. MN Soman, vice president Tushar Vellappally, and Devaswom secretary Arayakkandil Santhosh.

The petitioners were represented by advocates including Sabu George, PB Krishnan, PB Subramanyan, and Manu Vyasan Peter. Advocate AN Rajan Babu appeared on behalf of the SNDP Yogam and its office bearers.

Case Title: Prof MK Sanoo v State of Kerala & ors and connected cases.

FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE