The Office of the Cooperative Ombudsman, Ministry of Cooperation, has directed Sree Dhanlakshmi Multi State Agro Cooperative Society Ltd., Thrissur, Kerala, to refund the outstanding deposits of five complainants, along with up-to-date interest, within 30 days.
In an order, Cooperative Ombudsman Alok Agarwal also directed the society to settle all other complaints received or being received by his office, as well as claims filed with the society, along with up-to-date interest within 30 days of receiving the respective complaints or claims.
The complaints were filed by Divya Sasidharan, Akhil M, Pradeepa PP, Kunju Kunjuamma Varghese and Renu Varghese, who alleged that the society had failed to return their matured fixed and recurring deposits despite repeated requests.
According to the order, Divya Sasidharan and her mother had invested Rs.5 lakh and Rs.6 lakh respectively in fixed deposits. Although the society refunded Rs.2 lakh in July 2026, the remaining maturity amount was still outstanding.
Akhil M had invested through a 12-month recurring deposit, while Pradeepa PP had placed Rs.3 lakh and Kunju Kunjuamma Varghese Rs.5 lakh in fixed deposits. Renu Varghese had also invested Rs.3 lakh in a fixed deposit. In the cases of Kunju Kunjuamma and Renu Varghese, cheques issued by the society towards repayment were dishonoured due to insufficient funds.
The Ombudsman observed that the society had failed to respond to repeated notices issued by his office, except in the case of Divya Sasidharan, where it had promised to release the payment at the earliest. However, no representative of the society attended the video-conference hearings held on September 16 and October 13, 2026.
Taking note of the society’s continued non-cooperation, the Ombudsman observed that it appeared to have no intention of refunding members’ deposits and that complaints regarding non-payment were being received continuously.
The order further observed that the society appeared to have ceased functioning in accordance with cooperative principles, making it necessary to explore all options available under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, and the Rules framed thereunder to ensure repayment to depositors.
The society has also been directed to submit a compliance report to the Office of the Cooperative Ombudsman.
