Kerala High Court allows 'last chance' to investigating officer to complete probe in SNDP microfinance scam

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday allowed the investigating officer in an alleged microfinance scam of ₹15. 85 crore involving Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan one more month as a “last and final chance” to complete the investigation and file the final report. The order was issued in a petition by M.S. Anil of Cherthala, seeking a thorough vigilance probe into the alleged misappropriation.

The State government informed Justice A. Badharudeen that “bona fide attempts” were made by the investigating officer and that he needed one more month to complete the investigation into the alleged misappropriation. 

Meanwhile, the petitioner had filed an application to change S. Sasidharan, the investigating officer, alleging that he had received multiple chances to complete the inquiry, but he had sought extensions every time to help the accused. 

The petitioner sought the appointment of a new officer, pointing out that there were 124 cases pending investigation in Kerala, whereas a final report has been filed in only one case. The petitioner suggested the name of Jayanth Jaganathan, Deputy Inspector General, currently serving with the Human Rights Commission, as the new investigating officer. 

The case was registered in 2016 in connection with the alleged misappropriation of government loans disbursed through SNDP Yogam between 2003 and 2014 under a microfinance scheme intended to benefit members of marginalised communities in the State. The investigation was entrusted to Mr. Sasidharan in November 2024.