ADM suicide case: CPM leader Divya arrested by police, remanded

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Kannur district panchayat president P P Divya was arrested by Kerala police on Tuesday in connection with former ADM Naveen Babu's suicide.

The special investigation team in Kannur took Divya into custody after her anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the Thalassery Principal Sessions Court earlier in the day. Following her arrest, Divya underwent a medical examination at the district hospital under tight security.

Divya was later produced before the court and remanded to 14 days in custody. She was then shifted to the Pallikunnu Women's Prison within the Kannur Central Jail complex.

Although the Kannur police claimed that they had taken Divya into custody, reports suggest that she surrendered to the investigative team at a pre-arranged location. She was accompanied by CPM workers at the time of her surrender.

The Kannur Town Police had registered a case against Divya under various non-bailable sections, including abetment to suicide, which could result in a jail term of up to 10 years.

The CPM leadership removed her from the post of district panchayat president following the registration of the case.

Naveen Babu was found dead at his official residence in Kannur on October 15. He took drastic action after facing public humiliation and corruption allegations by former Kannur district panchayat president P P Divya at his farewell event on October 14.

Divya, who was not a guest at the event, made allegations of bribery against him concerning the NOC for a petrol pump, in front of the ADM, Collector, and other staff. She was alluding to the accusation made by Prashant, a CPM supporter who had sought an NOC for a petrol pump.

While rejecting her bail plea, the court made certain serious observations against the accused. It said an attempt was made to insult and ridicule the ADM.

The ADM committed suicide after being humiliated in front of his colleagues and employees. Divya came to the event in a planned manner without an invitation. The court also pointed out that Divya's role is clear.

In its order, the court observed that the accused is likely to influence the investigation of the case using political influence. On these grounds her anticipatory bail was rejected by the court.

Opposition protest

Members of opposition parties including Congress, Youth Congress, Muslim League, Youth League, BJP and Yuva Morcha held angry protests against Divya at various places in Kannur district on Tuesday following her arrest. They raised slogans against the police for giving her a long rope and delaying her arrest.

“We will go to any extent to get justice” says Naveen Babu's wife Manjusha.

Manjusha, said Divya's arrest is a big relief for the family. "We will go to any extent to seek justice and bring the person who ruined our lives to justice," she told media persons on Tuesday.

Manjusha who is Konni Tahsildar in Pathanamthitta district, suspected foul play in the entire case. The post-mortem and inquest were conducted before the arrival of the relatives.

She said the district collector could have intervened by preventing Divya from making such remarks against her husband. This is the first time Manjusha has spoken to the media after Naveen Babu's death.

She said Naveen Babu is one of the best performers in the revenue department."I used to call him every day to clear doubts while discharging my duty as a tahslidar. Senior IAS officers P B Nooh and Divya Iyer had publicly spoken about Naveen Babu's efficiency and work ethic.

Manjusha said her husband was deeply shattered by the remarks made at the farewell meeting. He shared his disbelief and shock about the bad experience at the farewell meet.