Naveen Babu's death; PP Divya sacked from position and made accused; Ratnakumari new district panchayat

KANNUR/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After Niranjana and Nirupama gave final kisses to their father, Kannur ADM Naveen Babu, and lit his pyre, Kannur district panchayat president PP Divya, who sparked the tragedy, has been embroiled in a suicide abetment case, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years. The CPM subsequently removed Divya from the post of district panchayat president. Adv. KK Ratnakumari is the new president.

The CPM district secretariat meeting held today assessed that Divya's reference in the ADM's farewell meeting should have been avoided. It was also decided to remove her from the post of district panchayat president as the police have registered a case and are investigating. Following this, a press release was issued at 10.30 pm removing Divya from her position. Divya will submit her resignation letter tomorrow itself. State secretary MV Govindan had also rejected Divya's remarks.

Kannur town police, which investigated the unnatural death, filed a report in the Taliparamba sub-divisional magistrate's court naming Divya as an accused. Sections 194 and 108 of the BNS and 174 and 306 of the CrPC have been invoked. There is still ambiguity in the arrest of Divya.

The case was registered based on the video footage and the statement of Naveen Babu's wife. The statements of those who attended the farewell meeting were also recorded. It was asked whether Naveen Babu had shared the mental distress created by Divya's words with his friends. The report submitted by Kannur Town CI said that further investigation is required. The case has been handed over to the Kannur First Class Judicial Magistrate Court. A list of accused will be prepared and a new report will be submitted based on the statements recorded. More people may be indicted.

There were widespread protests over Divya not being named as an accused. Naveen's family said that they stand by the complaint against Divya and Prashanth who applied for the pump. The town police reached Pathanamthitta today, recorded their statements and registered a case.

"She tried to put a black mark on the life of an officer with a good service record. Divya's words caused severe mental trauma."

T. Asafali,

former Director General of Prosecution

"An investigation is underway against Divya. The statements of more people, including theirs, will be recorded."

Ajith Kumar,

Kannur City Police Commissioner

"Saddened by the demise of Naveen Babu. I will cooperate with the police investigation and prove my innocence by legal means. I will resign from the post of district panchayat president. I confirm the party's stand" P.P.Divya

(Reaction to CPM's decision)

Vigilance probe into 'pump bribery'; district collector also under purview of investigation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vigilance chief Yogesh Gupta has ordered a probe into the petrol pump bribery allegation that led to the death of Naveen Babu. This is in two complaints, including that of a Muslim League leader. The Kannur unit led by Kozhikode Range SP will register a case after a preliminary investigation. The probe is against TV Prasanth, who confessed to having paid the bribe, PP Divya, Bharat Petroleum who disclosed the information, district collector Arun K Vijayan and officials of the collectorate who failed to supervise the file. The source of the Rs 4 crore to be spent on the pump, whether there is a benami transaction, investment of Rs 25 lakh as collateral and assets worth Rs 50 lakh will also be investigated.

Other subjects of investigation

• Was the pump sanctioned following the procedures?
• Was the pump allowed despite the opposition of the police and the fire force that there should not be a pump at the bend?
• Whether civil supplies, local bodies, fire force, PWD, revenue and pollution control departments have issued NOC illegally
• Vigilance does not need the government's permission to investigate bribery