Kerala High Court Seeks State's Response In Plea For CBI Probe Into ADM Naveen Babu's Death, Calls For Case Diary
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (November 27) directed the investigating officer to produce the case diary and file a statement regarding the investigation into death of former Kannur ADM Naveen Babu.
Naveen Babu's wife had moved the High Court seeking CBI investigation into the death of her husband. The petition came before the bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas.
Naveen Babu was found hanging in his official quarters at Kannur on the morning on 15/10/2024. On the previous day of his death, during his farewell, the former Kannur Panchayat President, P.P. Divya reportedly made remarks against the ADM implicitly hinting that the ADM accepted bribe to give approval for a petrol pump. P. P. Divya is currently being investigated for abetting his suicide and is out on bail. The case is currently being investigated by the Special Investigation Team. (SIT).
Babu's wife in her plea claims that the "namesake" SIT comprising officers from the local police station has failed to investigate the matter fairly. She claims that the accused hold influential political position and the investigation team is attempting to conceal evidence and aiding the accused in fabricating evidence. The petitioner also argued that the possibility of homicidal hanging cannot be ruled out.
The petitioner also sought an interim stay to prevent the police from filing a final report. The Court declined this request and said that the Court's power is not curtailed once the final report is submitted.
Special Public Prosecutor, Dr K P Satheesan, assisted by Advocate Bharath Mohan appeared for CBI. The Court also issued notice to CBI in the matter.
The matter is next posted for December 6.
Case Name: Manjusha K v CBI & Others
Case Number: WP (Crl) 1297/2024