The Kerala High Court has upheld the decision to confer the Padma Bhushan award on Vellappally Natesan, dismissing a public interest litigation (PIL) that challenged the award’s legitimacy. The case, Sree Narayana Dharmaprabodhana Samrakshna Samithi v. Union of India & Ors., was brought forward by the Sree Narayana Dharmaprabodhana Samrakshna Samithi, arguing that Natesan’s involvement in various legal proceedings should disqualify him from receiving such a prestigious honor.
Vellappally Natesan, who served as the General Secretary of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, was removed from his position earlier this year by the Kerala High Court for failing to comply with statutory financial disclosure requirements. Despite this, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar VM found that the PIL lacked merit, primarily due to the statutory framework governing the Padma awards.
The Court noted that under the current legal provisions, only the President of India possesses the authority to withdraw a Padma award. The central government, represented in court, argued that this power rests solely with the President, and the judiciary cannot encroach upon this prerogative unless a conviction in a criminal case necessitates such action.
While the petitioners, represented by advocate D Anilkumar, pointed to multiple vigilance cases involving Natesan, including allegations of embezzlement and abetment of suicide, the Court observed that Natesan has not been convicted in any of these matters. Without a criminal conviction, the Court concluded that there was no legal basis to interfere with the award’s conferment.
The PIL also highlighted an interview where Natesan allegedly criticized the Padma awards as a “purchasable commodity.” The petitioners argued that the Central government overlooked these factors, rendering the award’s conferment arbitrary and undermining public trust in the awards.
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Despite these arguments, the Court dismissed the PIL, reaffirming that the decision to award the Padma Bhushan lies within the discretion of the President, particularly in the absence of a criminal conviction. The Court’s ruling underscores the procedural safeguards in place for the conferment and potential withdrawal of such national honors.
