First death anniversary of Naveen Babu: Family still not giving up hope

KANNUR: October will mark the first anniversary of the mysterious death of ADM Naveen Babu. Naveen Babu was found hanging in his quarters on 2024 October 15, following the bribery allegations made by Kannur District Panchayat President P.P. Divya at the farewell meeting. The farewell meeting was held on October 14. The case of abetment of suicide against P.P. Divya is under consideration by the court.

Meanwhile, Naveen Babu's family filed a petition in the Thalassery Sessions Court, citing the shortcomings in the police investigation and demanding a further investigation into the incident. The family says that their hopes for a further investigation in the case have not faded, considering the revelations made by Minister K. Rajan the other day. The minister revealed the other day that Kannur District Collector Arun K Vijayan had called them after Naveen Babu's farewell meeting. The minister also asserted that Naveen Babu was not a corrupt official.

Naveen Babu's family alleged in the petition that the investigation team tried to cast suspicion on him by making him appear corrupt. Meanwhile, the defence argues that the petition is legally untenable and is trying to unnecessarily prolong the case.

1. Naveen Babu's family says that a thorough examination of important evidence in the case, such as phone call records, bank details, the original applicant of the petrol pump, and CCTV footage, was not done

2. Apart from the phone number handed over to the investigation team by PP Divya and Collector Arun K. Vijayan, there is another number. Information about it is not in the charge sheet. There was a biased stance and concealment of facts in the preliminary investigation

The sole accused in the case, P.P. Divya, is back again active in public forums. She is participating in party forums and grassroots organisation forums in Kannur and other districts. Divya is also active on social media, responding to issues, including that of MLA Rahul Mamkootathil.