Kochi | The Kerala High Court on Friday directed the state government to consider granting prosecution sanction in a case related to the alleged irregularities in the SNDP Yogam microfinance scheme involving its General Secretary Vellappally Natesan.

Justice A Badharudeen passed the order while considering petitions related to the cases.

Investigation officer SP S Sasidharan appeared before the court and submitted a detailed report on the progress of the investigation into 124 cases.

The investigation officer submitted that in one case, it has approached the Backwards Classes Development Department to obtain prosecution sanction.

The court noted that final reports could be filed in at least eight cases.

The court directed the Secretary of the Backward Classes Development Department and the competent authority to consider granting prosecution sanction on or before September 10, 2026.

The investigation officer sought 20 days to complete procedures in the eight cases.

The court decided to consider the matter again on September 10.

The allegation is that funds allotted by the government for the welfare of backward communities under the microfinance programme of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam units were misappropriated by submitting false utilisation certificates in the names of fictitious self-help groups between 2003 and 2014.

SNDP Yogam is a social organisation founded on the principles of social reformer Sree Narayana Guru.

It was established to promote the social, educational and economic advancement of the Ezhava community and other disadvantaged sections.