Verdict against Vellappally: Single bench erred

KOCHI: The Single Bench based its ruling on the disqualification of General Secretary Vellappally Natesan and other office bearers of SNDP Yogam on its own previous order from January 24, 2022, regarding voting rights. However, this foundational order was later quashed by a Division Bench. Although the Division Bench had specifically directed the Central Government to hear both parties and decide whether the Central Companies Act applies to the Yogam, the Single Bench proceeded with its ruling without accounting for that pending decision.

The Division Bench further pointed out that it was inappropriate for the Single Bench to rely on the Supreme Court's order concerning the demand for a new administrative scheme for the Yogam. Under the current ruling, which maintained that a Director Identification Number (DIN) is mandatory, all existing directors of the Yogam were disqualified. Consequently, the government was directed to appoint temporary directors until a general meeting can be held to elect a new board. This order followed a petition filed by Prof. M.K. Sanu and others, with SNDP Yogam and Vellappally represented by Supreme Court advocate K. Parameshwar and High Court advocates Santosh Mathew, Elvin Peter, and A.N. Rajan Babu.