Kannur, March 16 (NationPress) In a pivotal turn regarding the enigmatic demise of Naveen Babu, the Assistant District Magistrate (ADM) of Kannur, a local court has mandated an expanded investigation into the matter, instilling new hope for the officer's family in uncovering the reality behind this tragic incident.

The Additional District and Sessions Court issued this order after reviewing a petition from Naveen Babu's family, who sought a more thorough inquiry into the events leading to his death in October 2024.

Naveen Babu’s brother, Praveen Babu, expressed gratitude for the court’s decision, stating that the family feels a sense of relief now that their concerns have been acknowledged.

“We feel a significant relief from the court’s ruling. Our request for a CBI investigation was previously turned down by the Kerala High Court, which claimed that all case aspects had been assessed. However, the lower court has now recognized our grievances. Given the absence of documentation on many issues we presented, the court ordered a renewed investigation into Naveen Babu’s death,” he remarked.

Naveen Babu was discovered hanging in his official residence at Pallikkunnu on October 15, 2024, just a day after participating in a farewell ceremony at the district collectorate due to his transfer to Pathanamthitta.

The case ignited a political uproar when accusations surfaced against former Kannur District Panchayat president and prominent CPI-M leader, P. P. Divya, for publicly shaming the officer during the farewell event.

Divya later became the sole accused in a case of abetting suicide and was incarcerated for a period before being granted bail. The court's directive mandates that investigators now revisit critical elements that were previously overlooked.

This includes acquiring complete phone records from Divya, especially concerning her official mobile device, and investigating claims that money was procured via pledged jewelry in relation to allegations of bribery against the ADM.

The court also instructed the collection of CCTV footage and other pertinent evidence if meetings involving key figures occurred, alongside recording statements from vigilance officials who investigated the case earlier.

The investigation is required to conclude within a specified timeframe.

The passing of this senior revenue official previously ignited widespread debate in Kerala, placing both the state administration and the ruling CPI(M) under intense scrutiny.

With the court now compelling further inquiry, the case is anticipated to regain attention as investigators re-examine vital questions concerning the circumstances surrounding Naveen Babu’s passing.