SNDP Yogam office bearers are not disqualified; order from Registration IG

KOCHI: The Inspector General of Registration (IG) has rejected the demand to disqualify SNDP Yogam officials including Vellappally Natesan for failing to submit their annual returns. The order of Registration IG Sreedhanya Suresh stated that the claim of non-filing of returns from 2014 to 2016 is not technically correct and therefore the office-bearers cannot be disqualified.

Following a petition filed by Prof MK Sanu seeking receivership by disqualifying SNDP Yogam General Secretary Vellappally Natesan, President Dr MN Soman, Vice President Thushar Vellappally and Devaswom Secretary Arayakandy Santhosh for non-submission of returns from 2013 to 2016, the High Court had given instructions to the Registration IG to look into the matter on 30th November 2023.

It was argued in the petition that the office bearers were disqualified from September 12, 2016 as per the company rules as they had not submitted their returns for three consecutive years from 2013. The amendment of the Companies Act dated 12 September 2013 used for this argument came into force on 1 April 2014. Yogam argued that the term of five years has expired and it is the re-appointment that has been barred and the continued tenure cannot be prevented.

The annual returns were submitted to the Registrar of Companies till 2005. After that, it was submitted to the registration department but it was informed that it will be accepted in the file only after receiving the original records. These were made available in September 2019. This is not Yogam's fault. The delay was waived as per the state government order giving relaxation to non-filers of returns from 2006-07 to 2016-17. A fine of Rs 1 lakh was recovered and prosecution was avoided. Disqualification was avoided due to these reasons. According to the bylaws, members elected for five-year terms may continue until their successors take charge.

The contention that the office bearers do not have the Director Identification Number (DIN) which is mandatory for company directors also cannot stand. All the office bearers have 'DIN' since 2009. Adv AN Rajanbabu, Adv Sinil Mundappally and Adv Ishwarlal appeared for Yogam.

Truth prevailed: Vellapalli

This verdict is a heavy blow to those who have hounded me and SNDP Yogam through false propaganda. A conspiracy to put Yogam under receivership was foiled. This order is a warning to those who are trying to mislead the courts and the people by saying false things. This case also gave an opportunity to the people to know what is the truth.

Vellapalli Natesan,

SNDP Yogam General Secretary