Kerala High Court refuses to revoke award of Padma Bhushan to Vellappally Natesan

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition which challenged the decision to award the Padma Bhushan to Vellappally Natesan [Sree Narayana Dharmaprabodhana Samrakshna Samithi v. Union of India & Ors.]..Natesan was the General Secretary of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP Yogam), a non-trading company established with the objective of uplifting the Ezhava community in Kerala.However, in March this year, a single-judge Bench of the High Court ordered the removal of Natesan from his post as SNDP Yogam General Secretary after finding that the organisation failed to submit its financial statements within the stipulated time as per law.Meanwhile, a PIL was filed to revoke a Padma Bhushan award given to Natesan.A Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar VM, however, today refused to entertain the plea. The Court agreed with a submission made on behalf of the Central government that under the statute and rules governing the awards, only the President has the power to withdraw such awards granted to any person.It also noted that Natesan has not been convicted in any of the criminal cases against him and that if he is convicted, the President has the option to revoke the conferment of the award. The Court, therefore, opined that there was no reason for it to interfere with the conferment of the award at this stage and dismissed the PIL..The PIL against awarding the Padma Bhushan to Natesan was moved by the Sree Narayana Dharmaprabodhana Samrakshna Samithi.The PIL pointed out that Natesan has been accused in several vigilance cases. The cases mentioned involve allegations of embezzlement of crores of rupees. The PIL further pointed out that Natesan is also facing charges of abetment of suicide in a criminal case registered after one of his close aides took his own life upon being accused in a vigilance case. "In all such criminal cases, one common thread is misappropriation of money. It is submitted that the said conduct tells upon the character and integrity of the person," the PIL added..The petition had also cited an interview given by Natesan to the Indian Express in which he allegedly made derogatory remarks about the Padma awards, saying it has now become a "purchasable commodity."The petition contended that the Central government had failed to take note of all these factors while deciding to confer the award to Natesan this year."Non-consideration of such relevant materials make conferment of award arbitrary and illegal. Conferring such prestigious awards on undeserving person will erode the faith of the public on such awards," the petition stated.The PIL, therefore, sought directions to cancel the conferment of the Padma Bhushan award to Natesan.According to the plea, the General Secretary of the petitioner organisation had also submitted a representation to the office of the President of India, raising these concerns..The PIL was filed through advocate D Anilkumar.