Justice Kauser Edappagath made the suggestion during the hearing of a plea by Babu’s widow, who has sought a transfer of the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), alleging flaws in the current inquiry.
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Kerala: The Kerala High Court on Friday (6th Dec) proposed that the investigation into Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu’s death be monitored by a senior police officer.
Justice Kauser Edappagath made the suggestion during the hearing of a plea by Babu’s widow, who has sought a transfer of the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), alleging flaws in the current inquiry.
The court emphasized that determining the necessity of a CBI investigation required an evaluation of the case diary to assess the progress of the ongoing inquiry. It granted the prosecution additional time to submit the case diary and listed the matter for hearing on December 12. Additionally, the prosecution was directed to file an affidavit detailing the progress of the investigation alongside the case diary.
READ ALSO: [ADM Naveen Babu’s Death] Kerala HC Demands State’s Reply on Plea for CBI Investigation
During the hearing, the widow’s counsel argued that the family suspected homicide, raising concerns over the impartiality of the investigation. The petition alleged that former Kannur District Panchayat President P.P. Divya, accused in the case, wielded considerable political influence, potentially derailing the probe. It further criticized the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for making no substantial progress in gathering evidence.
BRIEF FACTS
Naveen Babu found dead in his official quarters on October 15, shortly after a farewell ceremony held due to his transfer to another district. At this event, PP Divya made public allegations of corruption against him. She has since been charged with abetting his suicide but was granted anticipatory bail by a Sessions Court on November 8.
In her petition, Babu’s widow expressed serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding her husband’s death, claiming that Divya had intruded into the farewell event with a cameraman, made defamatory remarks, and circulated recordings of her speech.
The petition also suggests that the District Collector of Kannur may have been improperly influenced by Divya to avoid legal repercussions.
It criticized the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for not conducting a thorough investigation and noted that the widow had requested the preservation of key evidence, including CCTV footage, phone logs, and recordings related to the case.
Moreover, the plea highlights that witnesses are fearful of testifying against Divya due to her significant political connections. The inquest into Babu’s death was reportedly conducted hastily, before his close family members could arrive at the scene.
