During the hearing on Thursday, the public prosecutor sought an additional two weeks to decide the matter
Justice A Badharudeen issued the directive while considering a 2020 petition filed by M S Anil of Cherthala seeking a thorough and effective vigilance investigation by a special team headed by an honest and efficient officer into the alleged misappropriation of funds under a microfinance scheme for members of the SNDP Yogam. Previously, the court, on noticing that the final report in a case connected with the alleged microfinance fraud at the Pulppally union of the SNDP Yogam in Wayanad was awaiting prosecution sanction, had directed the additional chief secretary to take an appropriate decision on the matter before Sept 10. The case, originally registered in 2016, concerns the alleged misappropriation of Rs 15.85 crore in govt loans disbursed on eight occasions between 2003 and 2014 under a microfinance scheme intended to benefit members of marginalised communities through the SNDP Yogam. However, the special investigation team had submitted that final reports had been filed in 17 of the 124 cases registered in connection with the alleged misappropriation.
Even after a decade, no effective investigation has been conducted, according to the petitioner. However, the court rejected the request, observing that the sanctioning authority had no justification for non-compliance with the directive. Accordingly, the bench directed the additional chief secretary to be personally present before it and explain the reason for the non-compliance with the order. Office-bearers of the SNDP Yogam, including Vellappally Natesan, were arrayed as accused in the case.
Kochi: The high court has directed the additional chief secretary of the backward classes development department to be present before it on Friday (today) to explain the reason for non-compliance with its previous order directing him to decide on the prosecution sanction in an alleged microfinance fraud case. During the hearing on Thursday, the public prosecutor sought an additional two weeks to decide the matter.