The Office of the Cooperative Ombudsman, Ministry of Cooperation, has issued a stringent order against the Agri Tourism Multistate Cooperative Society Ltd., Kochi, after multiple depositors complained of large-scale non-payment of matured fixed deposits.
The order, dated 2 December 2025, follows a series of complaints filed by depositors including Smt. Meera Radhakrishnan, Rajeev M.R., Smt. Shobha Jagathkumar, Chandrasekharan Nair, Smt. Annie Franklin and Pramod K.S.
Complainants alleged that despite investing amounts ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 19.50 lakh across multiple fixed deposits between 2022 and 2025, the society failed to pay maturity proceeds or monthly interest. Several cheques issued by the society were dishonoured, and letters sent by depositors were returned marked “Left” or “No such addressee,” indicating that the society had shut operations and become unreachable.
The Ombudsman noted that all notices issued by his office between September and November 2025 were also returned undelivered. The order states that the society appears to be “absconding and incommunicado,” and has ceased functioning in accordance with cooperative principles.
The Ombudsman has directed the promoters and management, despite being untraceable, to refund all complainants’ deposit amounts with up-to-date interest within 30 days. The society has also been ordered to settle all pending and future claims within 30 days of receipt and submit a compliance report to the Ombudsman.