CBI Set to Assume Investigation into the Suicide of Kannur ADM; Kerala High Court Holds Order

Kochi, Dec 12 (NationPress) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has expressed its readiness to assume the investigation into the suicide case of Naveen Babu, the Additional District Magistrate of Kannur. However, the state has vehemently contested this move, leading the Kerala High Court to reserve its order after detailed hearings from both parties on Thursday.

On November 27, the court approved the petition filed by Manjusha, seeking a CBI inquiry into her husband’s death, who was discovered hanging at his official residence.

This unfortunate incident occurred following a farewell event in October where P.P. Divya, the president of the Kannur district panchayat and a CPI-M leader, attended uninvited and made disparaging comments about Naveen Babu.

Divya accused him of corruption, despite his reputation as an honest officer.

On Thursday, Manjusha’s counsel argued that Divya has significant political connections, suggesting that the state investigative agency may not conduct a fair inquiry, thus necessitating an unbiased agency like the CBI to take over.

The lawyer highlighted that there were visible ligature marks on the deceased’s neck, necessitating a thorough scientific investigation by an agency such as the CBI.

Furthermore, the counsel pointed out that the inquest and autopsy were not performed to the family’s satisfaction.

In contrast, the state government’s counsel contended that the current police team is conducting a thorough investigation, arguing that the request for a CBI probe is based on mere assumptions without substantial evidence.

Naveen Babu was found dead in his official quarters on October 15, just a day after receiving an official send-off from Kannur.

In her petition, Babu's wife expressed concerns over the expedited manner in which the inquest and autopsy were carried out before family members could arrive.

Following the controversy surrounding Babu's death, Divya resigned from her position as the president of the Kannur district panchayat.

She evaded authorities for several days after a case was registered against her on October 17.

On October 29, after a local court denied her anticipatory bail, Divya was arrested and held in a Kannur jail until November 8, when she was granted bail.

Concerning the corruption allegations, it later emerged that one T.V. Prasanth, an electrician at the state-run Medical College in Kannur, had applied for a petrol station, which Babu delayed approving by not issuing the No Objection Certificate.

Notably, Prasanth and Divya's spouse were colleagues at the hospital.