PATHANAMTHITTA: The body of ADM Naveen Babu has been laid to rest at the premises of his house in Malayalapuzha. The last rites were performed by his daughters Nirupama and Niranjana as per their wish. A tearful adieu was bid to him by his colleagues, family, friends and the people of his hometown.

A large crowd waited in front of his house to have a last glimpse of Naveen Babu. Friends, local people along with their relatives poured into the house to pay their tributes. The body was taken to the pyre by Minister K Rajan and Babu’s relatives.

The body kept in the mortuary of a private hospital in Pathanamthitta was taken to the collectorate as a cortege. Many of his colleagues broke down while paying tributes.

His colleagues got emotional when the body was brought to Pathanamthitta Collectorate, where he was to join duty as ADM on Tuesday. Many including former Pathanamthitta collector Divya S Iyer, Health Minister Veena George, Revenue Minister K Rajan were in tears.

Naveen, who entered government service as LD Clerk became junior superintendent in 2010. His posting was in Kasargod. He became election deputy collector in 2022. He was transferred to his hometown Pathanamthitta, when he had only seven months to retire.

During the sendoff function held in Kannur on the eve of his transfer, district panchayat president P P Divya came there uninvited and raised allegations of corruption against him leading him to take the drastic step of ending his life.