Amidst huge political uproar, the Kerala police on Friday constituted a Special Investigation Team to probe the death of Naveen Babu, the former Additional District Magistrate of Kannur who was found dead in his quarters earlier this month. Babu allegedly killed self after CPI(M) leader P.P. Divya levelled corruption charges against him.
As per orders issued by IG, North Zone, Kozhikode, Kannur city police chief Ajit Kumar will head the SIT and Kannur Range DIG will supervise the probe. The other members of the SIT are – Rethnakumar, ACP Kannur; Sreejith Kodery, IPSHO, Kannur Town PS; Sanal Kumar – IPSHO, Kannur City PS; Savyasachi, SI, Kannur Town PS; Reshma, SI, Vanitha PS and Sreejith, ASI, Cyber Cell, PTI reported quoting the order.
Police move comes amidst widespread protests by opposition in Kerala demanding the arrest of former Kannur district panchayat president P.P. Divya for abetting Babu’s suicide. Babu was found dead in his official quarters a day after his send-off meeting at the district collectorate following his transfer to his hometown Pathanamthitta.
Allegedly, Divya, who attended the meeting uninvited, criticised Babu in connection with granting NOC for a petrol pump in Chengalai, Kannur and levelled corruption allegations against him. Following widespread protests, the CPI(M) removed Divya from the party’s district president post. During the meeting, Divya had said she did not want to present a memento to Babu and added the reason for it would be revealed in two days. She left the meeting immediately after making the allegations.
Kerala police’s move comes a day after Kannur Court reserved judgment on anticipatory bail plea moved by Divya in Naveen Babu’s case. The Court will decide on her plea next week.