Padma Bhushan Award to SNDP Leader Vellappally Natesan Faces Legal Challenge in Kerala High Court
A significant public interest litigation (PIL) has been formally lodged in the Kerala High Court, directly contesting the Union government's decision to bestow the prestigious Padma Bhushan award upon Vellappally Natesan, the general secretary of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP). The petition raises serious allegations regarding Natesan's criminal background, arguing that this undermines the integrity of the national honor.
Court Proceedings and Government Response Sought
A bench presided over by Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V M Syam Kumar has taken up the PIL for consideration. The legal action was initiated by the Sree Narayana Dharma Prabodhana Samrakshan Samithi, a registered trust based in Kollam. The court has explicitly called for instructions and a detailed response from the central government regarding the allegations. Consequently, the matter has been scheduled for a further hearing on March 12, marking a critical juncture in this controversy.
Allegations of Criminal Antecedents and Pending Cases
The petitioners have put forth a compelling case, asserting that the central government conferred the Padma Bhushan on Natesan without adequately scrutinizing the multiple criminal cases pending against him. The allegations are substantial and include:
- A money embezzlement case linked to S N College, an institution operated by the S N Trust, which is currently pending before the chief judicial magistrate court in Kollam.
- A vigilance case involving the alleged embezzlement of approximately Rs 15 crore, where Natesan is named as an accused.
- A criminal case registered at the Mararikulam police station in Alappuzha, connected to the tragic suicide of a close aide of Natesan.
The samithi argues that these pending legal matters render Natesan an unsuitable candidate for such a distinguished civilian award, which is intended to recognize exceptional and distinguished service of a high order.
Controversial Remarks and Erosion of Public Trust
Further intensifying the controversy, the PIL references a media interview in which Vellappally Natesan allegedly made derogatory remarks about the Padma Awards. He is quoted as stating that the awards were "a purchasable commodity," a comment that the petitioners claim demonstrates a blatant disrespect for the honor's sanctity.
The plea emphatically states that conferring the Padma Bhushan on an individual with such alleged antecedents and views would severely erode public faith in these prestigious national honors. It references the landmark Supreme Court judgment in Balaji Raghavan vs Union of India, which established several remedial measures to ensure that such awards are bestowed only upon truly deserving persons. The petitioners allege a clear failure by the central government to adhere to these established guidelines and considerations during the selection process for Natesan.
This legal challenge not only questions the specific award to Vellappally Natesan but also brings into sharp focus the broader procedures and criteria used by the government in selecting Padma awardees, potentially setting a significant precedent for future conferrals.
