Synopsis
The Kerala High Court has re-evaluated the plea filed by the widow of ADM Naveen Babu, seeking a CBI investigation into her husband's death, following dissatisfaction with a previous ruling. The court has requested the police to submit the case investigation diary before issuing further orders.Key Takeaways
- The Kerala High Court is reviewing a plea for a CBI investigation into ADM Naveen Babu’s death.
- Babu was found dead under suspicious circumstances shortly after corruption allegations.
- His family is dissatisfied with the current police investigation.
- The case has drawn significant media and public attention.
- A new legal team has been appointed to advocate for the family.
Kochi, Feb 11 (NationPress) The Kerala High Court revisited the petition filed by the wife of the late ADM Naveen Babu, challenging the earlier decision of a single-judge bench that denied a CBI investigation into her husband’s demise.
Following the hearing, the court instructed the police investigation team to submit the case investigation diary and reserved its orders.
On February 6, the same petition was brought before the High Court's division bench after the hearing, and orders were reserved. However, Manjusha, Babu's wife, expressed dissatisfaction as their legal representative sought either a CBI inquiry or a Crime Branch investigation by the Kerala Police.
Consequently, Babu's family opted for a new attorney and petitioned the High Court for a re-hearing.
The new counsel contended that the current police investigation was misdirected, failing to explore the possibility of a homicidal hanging, labeling it as “prejudiced” since authorities prematurely determined it as suicide.
Additionally, Manjusha's new legal representative emphasized that the investigation did not adequately address the blood stains found on Babu’s attire, advocating for an external agency like the CBI to investigate the case to uncover the truth.
Babu was discovered hanging at his official residence on October 15, 2024, just a day after being publicly accused of corruption by a local CPI-M leader.
On January 6, the single-judge bench rejected her petition, prompting her to file an appeal.
The state government, led by Pinarayi Vijayan, which initially offered support to Naveen Babu’s family, contested the demand for a CBI investigation during court proceedings.
Babu, known for his integrity and reputation as a diligent officer, was found deceased shortly after his official farewell in Kannur.
The controversy ignited when P.P. Divya, the CPI-M's Kannur District Panchayat President, attended the farewell uninvited and accused him of corruption.
Divya's allegations originated from a delay in the issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for a petrol pump application submitted by T.V. Prasanth, an electrician at the Kannur Medical College.
Notably, Prasanth was reportedly a coworker of Divya’s husband, raising questions about potential personal motives behind the accusations.
The family contended that Divya's comments were politically driven and caused severe distress to Babu.
Divya was subsequently arrested and briefly imprisoned in relation to the case, and she resigned from her position amidst increasing scrutiny.
