P P Divya Removed From the Post of Kannur District Panchayat President

Thiruvananthapuram: The ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) removed P P Divya from the position of Kannur district panchayat president on Thursday, following the suicide of ADM Naveen Babu.

The CPM's Kannur district secretariat took the decision at an emergency meeting held on Thursday night. The decision comes in the wake of Kannur police registering a case against Divya earlier, charging her with abetment of suicide.

In response to the development, Praveen Babu, brother of Jeevan Babu, expressed the family's desire for justice via legal avenues. "We insist on a comprehensive investigation into the matter. It is crucial to conduct a detailed inquiry into the events leading to Jeevan Babu's demise," he said replying to the queries of media persons.

Divya announced her resignation from the post of district panchayat president after her continuation in office became untenable because of the incident which had caused widespread outrage across the state.

In a statement, Divya reiterated that her comments during the farewell meeting were well-intended.

However, the remarks could have been avoided."I intend to establish my innocence through the judicial system," she stated.

Divya offered her deepest sympathies to Jeevan Babu's family.

Meanwhile, the police are expected to file a report before the court, listing Divya as an accused. Naveen Babu was found dead at his official residence in Kannur on Tuesday morning. He resorted to the extreme step following public humiliation and allegations of corruption made by Divya during his farewell event.

Divya, who was not an invited 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. He alleged that he received the NOC on October 9 only after paying a bribe to the ADM. Subsequently, he lodged a complaint with the Chief Minister's office following Divya's advice.

The Kerala Human Rights Commission on Wednesday registered a case related to the suicide of Kannur ADM Naveen Babu.

The Commission issued a notice to the Kannur District Administration, directing the district police chief and district collector to submit a report within two weeks.