Naveen Babu's death: Court seeks case diary

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has directed the special police team probing the death of former Kannur ADM Naveen Babu to produce the case diary and submit a progress report of the investigation. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas issued the order after considering the plea filed by Naveen Babu's wife Manjusha seeking a CBI probe into Naveen's death. The court also sent a notice to the CBI.

The court dismissed Manjusha's request to stay the submission of the final report by the police team. The court stated that the investigation should continue and that the court has the authority to intervene even if the charge sheet is submitted. The court will consider the petition again on December 6. It will hear the detailed arguments after examining the case diary.

Pathanamthitta native Naveen Babu, who was the Kannur ADM, was found hanging inside his quarters in Kannur on October 15. In her petition, Manjusha raised the suspicion that her husband may have been murdered.

Accused has high political influence, CBI should investigate the case: Manjusha

High Court: Isn't this a suicide case?
Manjusha: I suspect that my husband was murdered. There are facts to support it.

High Court: Why are you demanding a CBI probe?
Manjusha: I'm demanding a CBI probe as PP Divya, the accused, has high political influence. She is a district committee member of the CPM and state joint secretary of the Janadhipathya Mahila Association. She is a senate member of the Kannur University. She also holds various other posts. Hence, I am not expecting an impartial investigation from the police.

High Court: Didn't the police assign a Special Investigation Team to investigate the case?
Manjusha: The special team is just a name. Most of its members are from the local police. The investigating officer is an inspector who ranks below the accused in the protocol. The investigating officers are fabricating evidence to protect the accused. They did not take any action even after the name and signature of Prashanthan, the witness, changed.