Kochi, Jan 6 (NationPress) The Kerala High Court rejected a petition on Monday that called for a CBI investigation into the passing of Kannur Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu, who was found hanging at his official residence on October 15.

Shortly after the verdict, Babu’s wife, K. Manjusha, revealed intentions to contest the ruling. "This is not the conclusion. We will submit an appeal to the High Court division bench," Manjusha declared.

Babu's brother, Praveen, voiced his dissatisfaction with the court's decision. "We are not content. Although the court has instructed a DIG of Police to oversee the investigation with regular updates, we anticipated a CBI investigation. We will now turn to the division bench or potentially the Supreme Court if needed," he stated.

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

Naveen Babu, a respected and honorable officer, was discovered deceased a day following his official farewell from Kannur. The controversy ignited when P.P. Divya, the Kannur District Panchayat President and a CPI(M) leader, attended Babu’s farewell event uninvited and accused him of corruption.

The family claimed that Divya’s comments were politically motivated and inflicted significant distress on Babu. Divya was later arrested and briefly incarcerated in relation to the case, ultimately resigning from her position amid escalating criticism.

Manjusha's appeal for a CBI investigation highlighted irregularities in the existing inquiry. Her attorney contended that the inquest and autopsy were executed hastily, without the family's involvement. Noticeable ligature marks were present on Babu’s neck, necessitating scientific analysis. Divya’s influential political ties could potentially obstruct a fair investigation by the state police.

The Kerala government opposed the appeal, asserting that the ongoing investigation by the state police was unbiased and evidence-based. The government’s legal representative argued that the demand for a CBI probe was based on conjectures rather than credible evidence.

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

It is worth noting that Prasanth was reportedly a colleague of Divya’s husband, raising questions about personal motivations behind the allegations.

In the wake of the chaos following Babu’s death, Divya went into hiding but was apprehended on October 29 after her anticipatory bail request was denied. She was released on bail on November 8.