ADM Naveen Babu's death: Prashanth's dismissal proceedings not speeding up

KANNUR: Steps are not being taken to dismiss TV Prasanth, the controversial petrol pump applicant, in connection with the death of ADM Naveen Babu, from his job at the Kannur Government Medical College.

The government service rule is not applicable as he has not become a full government employee. However, the government says that the dismissal can be done only after proceedings under the labour law and there are legal hurdles.

Prasanth, who was a temporary employee of the electrical department, was suspended based on the inquiry conducted by the additional chief secretary of the health department and the joint DME. Prasanth's reply in the departmental inquiry was that he did not know that the government's permission should be sought to start a petrol pump. He repeated the same statement in the explanation given to the department on the suspension action. Prasanth was an employee when the Pariyaram Medical College was taken over by the government. He has been included in the list of those to be regularised.

Following Naveen Babu's death, the health minister had made it clear that Prasanth will not be in service.

Who's behind Prashant?

Prasanth's statement is that despite mortgaging the gold, he could not even pay the bribe amount demanded by the ADM. There is no answer to the question of who is helping Prashanth run a petrol pump that costs crores of rupees. The investigating team said that the information related to benami transactions are not available. Prasanth's statement was recorded three times. The police have sought details of the phone calls made by Prashanth with people including PP Divya. Prasanth reiterated that the complaint he claimed to have given to the chief minister against Naveen Babu was prepared by him.

Vigilance probe continues

Prasanth told the vigilance that he was forced to bribe Naveen Babu to get the NOC for the petrol pump. A case has not been registered against Prashanth under the Prevention of Corruption Act despite admitting that he paid the bribe. Vigilance Kozhikode Special Cell SP Abdul Razzaq is leading the probe into the bribery allegations. There are six months to complete the investigation.