Kerala High Court Rejects CBI Inquiry Request in ADM Naveen Babu's Death Case

Synopsis

The Kerala High Court has dismissed a plea from the wife of Naveen Babu, a deceased Kannur ADM, for a CBI investigation into his death. The court stated that personal fears are not sufficient grounds for a transfer of the investigation, emphasizing the need for concrete evidence.

Key Takeaways

The Kerala High Court rejected the plea for a CBI probe.
Investigations cannot be transferred based on personal concerns alone.
The court highlighted the importance of substantial evidence for such transfers.
Public accusations against Babu are believed to have contributed to his distress.
The family is considering further legal steps following the court's decision.

Kochi, March 3 (NationPress) The Kerala High Court on Monday dismissed a petition submitted by the wife of the late Kannur Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu, contesting a single-judge bench’s decision not to initiate a CBI investigation into his demise.

A Division Bench, led by Justice P.B. Suresh Kumar and Justice Jobin Sebastian, turned down the plea, asserting that investigations cannot be reassigned to the CBI solely based on individual fears.

The court highlighted that a valid rationale supported by tangible evidence is essential to justify such a transfer.

"The personal sentiments of the victim, no matter how sincere, do not provide adequate grounds for altering the investigative authority. Frequent transfers could compromise public trust in the judicial system and imply that inquiries are subject to influence or manipulation," the court remarked.

The bench further indicated that this situation did not involve senior state officials or political figures being implicated, nor was there any indication that an external body like the CBI would conduct a more impartial investigation.

After the ruling, Babu’s family expressed significant dismay, claiming that essential facts were being ignored in the ongoing investigation. They are now contemplating their next legal actions.

The senior advocate representing Babu’s wife, Manjusha, contended that crucial evidence -- including blood stains on his clothing -- had not been thoroughly investigated. The family asserts that only an independent inquiry can reveal the complete truth.

Babu was discovered hanging at his official residence on October 15, 2024, just one day after he faced public corruption allegations from local CPI(M) leader P.P. Divya. This incident transpired shortly after his official farewell in Kannur.

Divya, who was the Kannur District Panchayat President at the time, attended Babu’s farewell without an invitation and accused him of corruption. These allegations were tied to a delay in granting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for a petrol pump application by T.V. Prasanth, an electrician at Kannur Medical College. Notably, Prasanth was reportedly associated with Divya’s husband, raising questions about potential personal motives.

Babu’s family contends that the public accusation caused him immense psychological distress, leading to his tragic death. Under mounting pressure, Divya was subsequently arrested and spent a brief period in jail before resigning from her post.

The Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government, which initially expressed support for Babu’s family, opposed the call for a CBI inquiry in court. The state maintained that the ongoing investigation was on the right track and did not need external intervention.

With the High Court ruling against them, Babu’s family now faces the challenge of deciding whether to pursue further legal action or wait for the outcomes of the current investigation.