 |
|
The death of Naveen Babu, the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Kannur, has ignited a political storm in Kerala. Babu, who was on the verge of retirement and had been transferred to the Pathanamthitta district, was found dead at his residence in Pallikunnu on Tuesday, October 15th, under circumstances that point to suicide. However, allegations of corruption and public humiliation levelled against him by PP Divya, the president of the district panchayat belonging to the Communist Party of India (Marxist), have led to widespread accusations of her responsibility for his death.
The controversy stems from a farewell meeting held for Babu, during which Divya allegedly made public accusations of corruption related to the issuance of a no objection certificate (NOC) for a petrol pump. While specific details regarding the alleged corruption remain unclear, media reports suggest that a petrol pump owner claimed Babu had demanded a bribe of Rs one lakh for the NOC and was given Rs 98,500. Following these allegations, Babu reportedly took his own life, prompting outrage from opposition parties who have directly linked his death to Divya’s actions.
The Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have condemned Divya, demanding her immediate resignation and accountability for Babu’s death. On Wednesday, Congress and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) workers organized protests at the Kannur district Panchayat Office, calling for Divya’s removal. Activists of Yuva Morcha also burned an effigy of Divya as a symbol of their anger. Opposition Leader VD Satheesan alleged that Divya attended Babu’s farewell event uninvited and publicly insulted him, stemming from a personal vendetta. He accused Divya of driving Babu to take his own life, calling the incident “a shocking incident, amounting to murder.” Satheesan argued that Babu’s suicide was a direct consequence of Divya’s public humiliation.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President K Sudhakaran echoed the sentiments of the opposition, accusing Divya of abetting Babu's suicide. He highlighted Babu’s reputation as an honest officer, expressing disbelief at the allegations against him. Sudhakaran questioned Divya’s motive for attending the event uninvited and demanded that she be booked for abetting suicide, based on the allegations of her insinuating a bribe. Despite the strong accusations against Divya, Revenue Minister K Rajan, while expressing shock at Babu’s death, described him as a dedicated and honest officer. Rajan assured a thorough investigation into the matter, confirming that he had sought a preliminary report from the District Collector.
This tragic incident has sparked a heated political debate, with the opposition demanding immediate action against Divya and holding her responsible for Babu’s death. The allegations of corruption, public humiliation, and a potential personal vendetta have created a climate of suspicion and distrust, raising serious questions about the conduct of political leaders and the potential impact of their actions. The investigation into Babu’s death is likely to be closely scrutinized, with the outcome potentially having significant repercussions for both the political landscape and the public perception of accountability within the government.
Source: Protests erupt in Kannur after ADM Naveen Babu's death