Kannur ADM death: CPI(M) leader and former district panchayat president P.P. Divya taken into custody

Police transport Divya to Kannur Crime Branch office for questioning. She will undergo a medical examination before being presented in court

Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPIM] leader and former Kannur district panchayat president P.P. Divya was taken into custody by police in connection with the death of Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu shortly after her anticipatory bail plea was dismissed by the Thalassery Principal Sessions Court on Tuesday.

A police team took Ms. Divya into custody at Kannapuram, Kannur and took her to the Kannur Crime Branch office for questioning. Ms. Divya will undergo a medical examination before being presented in court.

Speaking to the media, Kannur Police Commissioner Ajith Kumar said that no special treatment was given to Ms. Divya, noting that her arrest was pending due to the ongoing bail plea. With the court’s decision against her bail, the police quickly proceeded to take her into custody, he said.

Though the Commissioner told the media that the accused would be brought to the Kannur town police station, she was taken to the Crime Branch office.

The CPI(M) leadership and the government had faced widespread criticism over the delay in arresting Ms.Divya for her alleged role in abetting the suicide of Naveen Babu.

The case dates back to October 15 when Naveen Babu was found dead in his quarters at Pallikunnu.

The prosecution alleges that the ADM was driven to suicide by Ms. Divya’s allegations of corruption levelled against him during an uninvited appearance at his farewell event at the Kannur Collectorate. During the six-minute speech, Ms. Divya reportedly made accusations that diminished Naveen Babu’s dignity in the presence of his colleagues, leading to emotional distress.

Naveen Babu’s family, represented by their lawyer, echoed these allegations in court, supporting the prosecution’s case.

In light of the incident, CPI(M) had already removed Ms. Divya from her position as district panchayat president. Ms. Divya is currently a district committee member of the CPI(M) and was considered a rising star in the party.

Published - October 29, 2024 03:51 pm IST