Kerala ADM suicide case: Family files plea in SC seeking CBI probe

Thiruvananthapuram, April 14 (IANS) A month after a division bench of the Kerala High Court rejected the demand for a CBI probe into the death of Kannur Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu, who was found hanging at his official residence on October 15, his wife on Monday filed a petition in the Supreme Court with the same demand.

In January a single bench of the High Court rejected her plea and in March the division bench also rejected her plea.

On both the occasions, Manjusha, Babu’s wife, expressed her sadness in her plea being rejected. On March 3, when the High Court division bench also rejected it, she had said she would file a plea in the apex court as the entire family was unhappy with the ongoing Kerala Police probe.

The Pinarayi Vijayan-led state government, which had initially pledged support to Babu’s family, opposed the demand for a CBI probe during court proceedings.

Naveen Babu, a reputed and upright officer, was found dead a day after his official farewell from Kannur.

The controversy began when P.P. Divya, Kannur District Panchayat President and a CPI(M) leader, attended Babu’s farewell event uninvited and accused him of corruption.

The family alleged that Divya’s remarks were politically motivated and caused immense distress to Babu. Divya, who was later arrested and briefly jailed in connection with the case, resigned from her position amidst mounting criticism.

On both occasions, Manjusha's petition for a CBI probe cited irregularities in the investigation.

Her counsel argued that the inquest and post-mortem were conducted hastily, without the family's presence. Forceful ligature marks were found on Babu’s neck, requiring scientific examination. Divya’s strong political connections might hinder a fair investigation by the state police, he said.

The Kerala government opposed the plea, asserting that the state police's ongoing investigation was impartial and based on evidence.

The government’s counsel argued that the demand for a CBI probe relied on assumptions without substantial proof.

Divya’s corruption allegations against Babu stemmed from a delay in issuing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for a petrol pump application by T.V. Prasanth, an electrician at the Kannur Medical College.

Notably, Prasanth was reportedly a colleague of Divya’s husband, raising suspicions about personal motives behind the accusations.

Amid the uproar following Babu’s death, Divya went into hiding but was arrested on October 29 after her anticipatory bail plea was rejected.

She was released on bail on November 8. Meanwhile, on March 29, the police probing the case against Divya filed their charge sheet naming her as the lone accused.

--IANS

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