The Kerala Court denied anticipatory bail to former Kannur District Panchayat President PP Divya, stating her public bribery accusations against ADM Naveen Babu likely contributed to his suicide. The court cited her uninvited attendance at a farewell event, where she allegedly involved media to publicly humiliate Babu. The ruling noted Divya’s potential witness influence due to her political connections.
Kerala: A Kerala Court denied anticipatory bail to former Kannur District Panchayat President PP Divya, stating her public allegations of bribery against Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu may have led to his tragic death by suicide.
ADM Naveen Babu was found dead shortly after a farewell event organized on the eve of his transfer. During this event, Divya had made public accusations of bribery against him. In its decision, the Thalassery Sessions Court observed that as a public servant, Divya should have approached appropriate authorities rather than making public accusations, which, according to the court, appeared “preplanned and premeditated” with an intention to insult the deceased.
Court Criticizes Public Insult, Denies Anticipatory Bail
The court remarked,
“In this country, we have all the machineries and authorities to handle such instances. No person is expected to take the law into their hands.”
The court highlighted that Divya, an experienced public official, opted for public humiliation over a procedural approach. The court further noted that Divya attended the event uninvited and involved media persons to record and broadcast her speech, which was later shared in Pathanamthitta, Babu’s native place.
Claims of Intimidation and Witness Influence
The court expressed concern that granting bail could send the wrong message to society, particularly as Divya has political connections and might influence witnesses. It noted her actions as a “replanned and premeditated” effort aimed at humiliating a highly regarded government official.
After these events, Divya was removed from her position as district panchayat president. In her bail plea, she argued that her remarks were only intended to address corruption concerns and promote efficiency in governance. However, the prosecution countered this, stating there were no prior complaints against Babu, suggesting Divya’s remarks were retaliatory as Babu hadn’t acted on her recommendation to issue a certificate for a petrol pump.
Court’s Verdict and Public Reaction
Ultimately, the court concluded that Divya’s presence and actions at the event were not justified, especially given her uninvited attendance. The court remarked,
“It is beyond my comprehension what business the petitioner/accused had at a purely private in-house function, uninvited, and that too by inviting media.”
Divya’s application for anticipatory bail was dismissed, with the court emphasizing her possible influence over the witnesses due to her political connections. The case has sparked intense public debate in Kerala, as it raises questions about accountability, public conduct, and administrative protocol in handling allegations against government officials.
Read the Order here:
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