Kannur: A case with abetment of suicide has been registered against Kannur District Panchayat President PP Divya in connection with the death of ADM Naveen Babu. The police have charged Divya with abetment of suicide, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The Kannur police will submit a report to the court, naming Divya as an accused in the death of the ADM.
Naveen Babu was found dead at his official quarters in Kannur on Tuesday morning, with reports suggesting he took his own life following public humiliation and accusations of corruption by Divya during his farewell event on October 14.
Naveen Babu, who was scheduled to assume office as the additional district magistrate in Pathanamthitta on Wednesday.
The CPM has so far maintained silence on the issue. However, the party Kannur district secretariat issued a statement saying that Divya should have refrained from making the remarks at the send-off meeting.
“The ADM’s death was unfortunate. What she had stated at the send-off meeting was a well-intentioned criticism against corruption. People normally share their experiences with their representatives. The district president should have avoided her statements even if her reaction reflected people’s woes,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, protests mounted from across party lines and within the party demanding action against PP Divya, the Kannur district Panchayat president. Family members of Naveen who were members of the CPM also demanded action against the CPM leader for her ‘insensitive’ statements that was made at the farewell meeting.
However, anger that simmered against Divya has led to the police registering a case against her on charges of abetment of suicide. Meanwhile, the whereabouts of PP Divya is yet to be known.
