Vijayan Administration Challenges CBI Investigation into Kannur ADM Suicide Incident
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Kochi, Dec 6 (NationPress) The Vijayan administration on Friday approached the Kerala High Court to contest a CBI investigation into the suicide case of the Kannur Additional District Magistrate.
On November 27, the court approved the petition filed by K. Manjusha seeking a CBI inquiry into the demise of her husband, Naveen Babu, who was discovered hanging in his official residence. Following a preliminary hearing, the court directed that notices be issued to both the Kerala government and the CBI.
On Friday, while the state government voiced its opposition to the CBI probe, the investigative agency expressed its readiness to investigate the case should the High Court grant permission.
The court indicated that it would make a decision on the CBI inquiry after evaluating whether the police investigation was proceeding appropriately, and it scheduled a detailed hearing for December 12.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V. D. Satheesan, asserted his belief that the Vijayan government would resist the inquiry, as they have acted contrary to the interests of Babu's family.
Babu was regarded as one of the most honest officials within the Revenue Department, a sentiment echoed by Kerala Revenue Minister K. Rajan, according to Satheesan.
Babu was found deceased in his official quarters on October 15, just a day after receiving an official farewell from Kannur. In her petition, Babu's wife expressed concern over the undue haste with which the inquest and autopsy were performed before family members could arrive.
The tragic incident was precipitated when P. P. Divya, the Kannur district panchayat president and CPI-M leader, attended the farewell ceremony uninvited and made disparaging remarks about Babu, alleging his involvement in corruption.
During this incident, Kannur District Collector Arun Vijayan, who oversaw the function, remained silent and did not respond when Divya made her critical comments and left the event.
In the wake of the uproar surrounding Babu's death, Divya resigned from her position as Kannur district panchayat president.
She evaded authorities for several days following the filing of a case against her on October 17.
On October 29, after a local court denied her request for anticipatory bail, Divya was apprehended by police and detained in a jail in Kannur until she was released on bail on November 8.
In connection to the allegations of corruption, it later emerged that T.V. Prasanth, an electrician employed at the state-run Medical College in Kannur, had applied for a petrol pump, and Babu had postponed issuing the No Objection Certificate for it. Prasanth and Divya's husband were colleagues at the hospital.
