CPM ramps up pressure, PP Divya likely to surrender today

KANNUR: PP Divya, former president of Kannur district Panchayat and the accused in ADM Naveen Babu's suicide, may surrender before the investigation team on Saturday. Divya is choked by CPM pressure and is expected to acquiesce to the party demands. The Thalassery Principal Sessions Court will pronounce its verdict on Divya's anticipatory bail plea on Tuesday.

Instead of waiting for the court verdict, the CPM demands swift action, minding the upcoming by-polls. Meanwhile, Commissioner Ajith Kumar, who headed the investigation team, met with Public Prosecutor K Ajith. The investigation team is convening another meeting at 10 am on Saturday. After the meeting, the team will contemplate the benami allegations and the fake complaint filed against ADM Naveen.

The Home Department has formed a special investigation team in the case amidst growing protests over the police ineptitude in not arresting PP Divya despite many videos showing her publically humiliating ADM Naveen Babu, considered to be the mainspring for the suicide.

Kannur Town SHO Sreejith Koderi, who was initially investigating the case, is also included in the new investigation team. This has courted controversy since allegations were rife about Sreejith shielding Divya from arrest.