Suicide of ADM Naveen Babu: Court grants bail to P P Divya; to be released on 11th day

KANNUR: Bail has been granted to former president of Kannur district panchayat P P Divya arrested on charges of abetment to suicide, in connection with the death of ADM Naveen Babu. The bail was granted by the Thalassery principal sessions court. She is getting bail on her eleventh day in jail. The court, which heard the bail plea on Tuesday, postponed the verdict to today.

Divya claimed in the bail plea that she cooperated with the investigation and that there was circumstantial evidence that the ADM had accepted bribe. The defence lawyer argued that Divya's accusation was well-intentioned and the court agreed that she should have avoided talking like that at the farewell function.

Meantime, Naveen Babu's wife Manjusha responded that she expected that bail would not be granted to Divya. She said that she will discuss further steps with her lawyers and will respond later. Meanwhile, CPM leader P K Sreemathy came forward supporting Divya. She said Divya should get justice and that she is happy on the bail granted.

The party had recommended action against Divya at the organizational level the other day. The decision was taken in the emergency meeting of CPM Kannur district committee convened yesterday. The meeting assessed Divya's act as a serious lapse. District committee member Divya will be removed from all elected posts in the party. The decision has been submitted to the state committee. If the decision is accepted, she will become a branch member. Divya will be demoted as Irinave Dam Branch Member of Irinave Local Committee where she resides.

Immediately after the death of Naveen Babu, the Kannur District Committee assessed that Divya's was a well-intentioned move against corruption. Considering the CPM background of Naveen Babu's family and the strong stand of the Pathanamthitta District Committee, the Kannur District Committee changed its stance. Considering the by-elections, the district committee was forced to take a tough decision.

The decision of the last district secretariat was that Divya can be naturally excluded from the membership of the district committee in the district conference to be held in December.