THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite the chief minister and the CPM repeatedly saying that strong action will be taken against former district panchayat president PP Divya in the incident that led to the death of Kannur Kannur Kannur ADM Naveen Babu, the police investigation continues to be a farce. Protests are widespread in this regard.

It has been criticized that the home department has prevented the police from summoning Divya or interrogating her despite being accused of abetment to suicide. There is also strong criticism in the ongoing CPM local conferences that it is a double standard to protect Divya by the police and say that the party and the government are with Naveen Babu's family. "Sacrificing an entire party family for a leader in Kannur is affecting the party's credibility. The people are realising all this and there will be a setback in the by-elections," the conference representatives warned.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced in Thiruvananthapuram that the untimely demise of Naveen Babu is deeply saddening and that no one will be allowed to question the self-respect of honest officers and that steps will be taken to ensure that the incidents do not recur. The chief minister was ready for a public response on the matter nine days after Naveen Babu's demise, at the anniversary of the secretariat employees association.

The Thalassery Principal Sessions Court is considering Divya's anticipatory bail plea today. The police are waiting for a decision on the matter. The slow pace of the police is to give Divya an opportunity to approach the High Court and if necessary the Supreme Court, if the application is rejected. The Joint Commissioner of Land Revenue, who is conducting a departmental inquiry, has also given time to Divya.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had recently assured at the LDF leadership meeting that strong action would be taken against Divya. At the same time, public criticism in the party and the CPI was banned. CPM state secretary MV Govindan had visited Naveen Babu's family and announced that the party was with them.

CI's investigation to throw dust in the eye

1. According to the law, the offence of abetment to suicide has to be investigated by the SP or a police officer of a higher rank. Even nine days after the death, the town CI is in charge of the investigation. There are limitations to the CI's investigation and interrogation in the case where even the district collector is under suspicion.
2. The government has been put in the dock after it was revealed that the complaint, which was allegedly sent to the chief minister by the applicant Prashanth alleging that Naveen Babu had taken a bribe for the NOC for the petrol pump, was prepared by a leader who was part of the CPM state organisational set-up. There are indications that the leader, who holds some official duties, prepared the complaint, wrote Prashanth's name, forged his signature and handed it over to a top official in the chief minister's office.