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The death of former Kannur Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu continues to be shrouded in mystery, with the latest development being the postponement of the anticipatory bail hearing for P.P. Divya, a former Kannur district panchayat president. The Thalassery Principal Sessions Court, on October 21, 2024, decided to defer the hearing until Thursday, October 24, after objections were raised by the prosecution, represented by John Ralph and P.M. Sajitha.
The prosecution's request for additional time to present their objections against Divya's bail application stems from allegations of a conspiracy involving Divya and the Kannur District Collector, Arun K. Vijayan, in connection with Naveen Babu's death. The family of the deceased has accused them of being involved in a coordinated effort against Naveen Babu, culminating in his suicide. The police are currently investigating these allegations to determine if there was indeed a conspiracy.
Divya, in her anticipatory bail plea, maintains that her actions were solely aimed at expediting the clearance of files and that she was invited to the farewell event organized for Naveen Babu by the District Collector. However, this claim has been refuted by the Collector. Divya's defense attorney, K. Viswan, argues that her statements were intended to “highlight corruption and not to provoke” Naveen Babu to take his own life.
The court's decision on the bail application will be crucial, as a rejection could lead to Divya's immediate arrest. The investigation is also looking into a possible link between the CPI's alleged involvement in a petrol pump issue and the events leading to Naveen Babu's death. Reports suggest that the CPI, through its leaders, influenced the issuance of a no-objection certificate (NOC) to Naveen Babu in exchange for financial contributions. The CPI's Kannur district secretary, C.P. Santhosh Kumar, has confirmed that he contacted Naveen Babu regarding the NOC issue, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.
This case has significant implications for the political landscape of Kannur, with allegations of corruption and potential manipulation within the CPI coming to light. The outcome of the anticipatory bail hearing and the ongoing investigation will shed further light on the events surrounding Naveen Babu's death and the potential role of various individuals and political entities involved.
Source: Kannur ADM Naveen Babu death: Sessions court adjourns hearing on P.P. Divya’s anticipatory bail