Kannur ADM Naveen Babu death: Sessions court adjourns hearing on P.P. Divya’s anticipatory bail plea

Court directs that police records must be presented when the case is heard on October 24

The Thalassery Principal Sessions Court on Monday (October 21, 2024) postponed the hearing of the anticipatory bail application filed by former Kannur district panchayat president P.P. Divya in connection with the case related to the death of former Kannur Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu. The court will consider the plea on Thursday (October 24).

During the proceedings, the court directed that police records should be presented when the case is heard on Thursday. The delay comes after objections to the bail plea were raised by John Ralph and P.M. Sajitha representing the prosecution. They requested additional time to raise objections against Ms. Divya’s bail plea.

Advocate K. Viswan, who appeared on behalf of Ms. Divya, argued that her statements were intended to “highlight corruption and not to provoke” Naveen Babu to take his own life. In her anticipatory bail plea, Ms. Divya contended that her actions were aimed at expediting the clearance of files and that she was invited to the farewell event by Kannur District Collector Arun K. Vijayan. However, this claim has been rejected by the Collector.

The court’s decision on the bail plea is crucial, as a rejection could lead to immediate police action, including her arrest.

However, the family of Naveen Babu has alleged a conspiracy involving Ms. Divya and Mr. Vijayan, suggesting that their presence at the farewell function was part of a coordinated effort against Naveen Babu. The police are investigating these allegations to determine if there was indeed a conspiracy.

Meanwhile, details have emerged suggesting the Communist Party of India’s (CPI) alleged involvement in the petrol pump issue and this could be a possible trigger for Ms. Divya’s remarks against Naveen. T.V. Prashanthan, who had submitted the application for receiving the NOC for the petrol pump, reportedly informed Joint Commissioner of Land Revenue A. Geetha that he had received the NOC following a CPI leaders’ intervention and that it required financial contributions. He also reportedly informed Ms. Geetha that he had shared these details with Ms. Divya.

Reports also suggest that the CPI might have played a role in securing Naveen transfer to Pathanamthitta.

CPI Kannur district secretary C.P. Santhosh Kumar confirmed that he had contacted Naveen regarding the NOC.

Published - October 21, 2024 12:36 pm IST