How to Win a Padma Bhushan While Disqualified by the High Court

Vellapally Natesan received the Padma Bhushan national award from the President of India yesterday. You can see the pic before we proceed to know Natesan’s contributions to the nation, apart from being a hater of Muslims.

Since most of my readers are from outside India, let me clarify that the award above is meant for people who have rendered “distinguished service of high order” to the nation. As far as I know, this man’s only “distinguished service” is hate speech. And the present dispensation in Delhi loves that.

Let us take a look at what Natesan really is.

He is a criminal by all indications so far. Only political clout stands between him and the prison.

A few of the charges against him.

S N College Golden Jubilee Fund Mismanagement

In July 2020, the Kerala Police Crime Branch filed a charge sheet against this Padma Bhushan concerning the misappropriation of funds collected in 1997-98 for the golden jubilee celebrations of Sree Narayana College, Kollam.  He was charged under various sections of the penal code like cheating, stealing, and breach of trust. The charge was that this Padma Bhushan diverted and transferred INR 55.17 lakh from public donations into his personal bank account. The complex that was to be built with that fund was never constructed. But Natesan received a national honour instead of the prison. Such miracles are possible in Modi’s India. Modi hai toh mumkin hai – [With Modi anything is possible] – they say in the Hindi Belt of India. [That belt is stretching fast to the South too!]

Microfinance Scam

Between 2003 and 2014, Natesan swindled crores of rupees (no one seems to know the precise amount) from ordinary people, rather poor people, in the guise of microfinance assistance. He set up fake self-help groups and cheated people using them. Just a few weeks ago, his own organisation SNDP publicly demanded his resignation. Then the Padma Bhushan came to his rescue. Thank you, Modi saab – you do save India’s honour just in time.

Death of K K Mahesan

In 2020, a close aide of Natesan named Mahesan killed himself. Before his death, Mahesan left notes alleging that Natesan was behind his decision to bid the final farewell to life. Natesan can feel proud that he saved someone from the travails of life. And maybe he deserves the Padma award just for that.

And the High Court

Beyond statutory criminal charges, Natesan’s leadership has faced heavy administrative challenges in the courts of justice.

In March 2026, the Kerala High Court ordered the removal and disqualification of Natesan and his son from their leadership positions because of their corrupt practices in the public institution they managed. True, Natesan got that order stayed legally using political clout.

And now, using the same political clout, he has won a national award from the President of India.

Jai Sri Ram. Jai Hind.