Kerala: CPM Rejects CBI Probe into ADM Naveen Babu’s Death

 Thiruvananthapuram: CPM state secretary M V Govindan on Wednesday said his party was not in favour a CBI investigation into the death of former Kannur ADM Naveen Babu.

Govindan stated that the party's stance on the CBI inquiry is firm and unchanged, describing the CBI as a "caged parrot."

The CPM state secretary, however, emphasized the party's support for Naveen's family.

Govindan was reacting to questions from media persons regarding the plea filed by

Naveen Babu's wife Manjusha before the Kerala High Court seeking a CBI probe into her husband's death.

The high court directed the state police to produce the case diary of the investigation. Naveen Babu's family told the court that the ADM's death was not a suicide but a case of greed and that the police were desperate to save the accused CPM Kannur district committee member PP Divya.

The single bench, which accepted the petition seeking a CBI probe on file, asked the state government and the CBI to file a reply. The petition was posted for detailed hearing on December 6.

Naveen Babu was found hanging at his official residence in Kannur on October 15. This occurred following public embarrassment and corruption accusations levelled by P P Divya, the former president of the Kannur district panchayat, at his farewell event on October 14.

Divya, who was not an invitee at the event, accused him of bribery related to the NOC for a petrol pump in the presence of the ADM, Collector, and other staff members. This accusation was in reference to a claim made by Prashant, a CPM supporter who had applied for an NOC for a petrol pump.

Manjusha, who is also the Tahsildar of Konni, stated in her petition that they reject the police's conclusion that Naveen Babu's death was a suicide, suspecting instead that he was murdered and then hanged. The special police team, constituted post the ADM's death, has failed to make any significant headway in the investigation to date.

The plea expresses concern that scientific evidence, including CCTV footage, is not being gathered, suggesting that the investigative team might be attempting to conceal actual evidence and fabricate false evidence to protect the accused.

The lapse in further proceedings, including the inquest after the death of Naveen Babu, should also be considered intentional. It is also suspected that the procedures completed without the presence of a close relative were to cover up the murder.