Kerala Court Rejects CPI(M) Leader Divya's Anticipatory Bail Plea.

A Kerala court has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of CPI(M) leader P P Divya on Tuesday accused of abetting the suicide of former Kannur Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu. Principal District and Sessions Judge, Thalassery, K T Nissar Ahammed rejected Divya’s plea which was strongly opposed by the prosecution and Babu’s family citing premeditated actions. This decision means Divya can no longer avoid arrest in the case.

Divya, the former president of the Kannur district panchayat had criticised Babu at his send-off function on October 14 for delaying approval of a petrol pump. She hinted that Babu granted approval only after being transferred sparking controversy. The next day, Babu was found dead in his quarters in Kannur. Later she was charged with the abetment of suicide of Naveen Babu claimed she attended ADM’s farewell party at the District Collector’s invitation.

A day after Kannur town police had registered a case against her Divya moved an anticipatory bail at a Court while stating that she reached the function at the invitation of District Collector Arun K. Vijayan in her bail plea.

CPI(M) Konni area committee member and CITU state committee member Malayalappuzha Mohanan, also Naveen Babu’s cousin, meanwhile, accused the collector of manipulating the farewell event for the outgoing ADM.

Also, read| What Caused Kannur ADM Naveen Babu’s Death – Why Family Seeks Action Against PP Divya?

Following the tragic demise of Naveen Babu after his farewell ceremony that saw the District Panchayat President P P Divya making corruption allegations against the officer, his brother, Praveen Babu complained, calling for an investigation into his sibling’s death.

Naveen Babu was found hanging at his residence on October 15,  a day after the farewell ceremony. He was set to take charge of his new role as ADM in his home district of Pathanamthitta. During the farewell event, the district president left the dais after levelling corruption allegations against the officer.

However, the deceased’s brother has accused Divya of raising false allegations against Praveen Babu, humiliating him before the public which purportedly led to his suicide. He also demanded an investigation into the role of Divya.

Also, read| Kannur ADM’s Death: Divya Says Collector Invited Her To Farewell; Collector Responds…