KANNUR: Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu was found dead at his government quarters at Pallikkunnu on Tuesday, a day after he was publicly admonished by Kannur District Panchayat president P P Divya during his farewell function.
The death sparked a major political controversy and led to a slew of protests. While the Congress urged the CPM to sack Divya if it “had an iota of humanity left”, parties, including Congress, IUML, and BJP, staged protest before Babu’s body was shifted to the GMCH, Pariyaram, for an autopsy.
The function was organised for Babu who was scheduled to leave Kannur on Monday night to take charge as ADM in Pathanamthitta, his hometown. Several people, including the district collector and reporters, were in attendance. At the function, Divya, who was not an invitee, spoke disparagingly about the ADM, questioning his integrity over issuing a no-objection certificate (NOC) to a petrol pump at Chengalayi.
Minister says late official was ‘efficient, honest civil servant’
Divya said her request to issue the NOC was not heeded, but the certificate was given later. Divya said she knew what went behind the developments, hinting at irregularity on the ADM’s part. She also asked Babu to be “more truthful” in his new assignment.
Leaving the venue before handing over the memento to Babu, Divya said she had “definite reasons”, which she will reveal in two days. Babu had been visibly upset after the incident.
His death came to light after his family members, who were waiting for him at the railway station on Tuesday, contacted the staff in Kannur after failing to get hold of him over the phone. The staff who went to Babu’s quarters found him hanging.
After news broke, protests were held at the quarters and later in front of the district panchayat office demanding Divya’s removal from the president post. BJP workers barged into the office, Congress and IUML workers clashed with the police.
Congress state president K Sudhakaran demanded that besides sacking Divya, a case of abetment of suicide also be charged against her.
“If a government official does not toe the CPM line, he/she is targeted by the party and seen as a foe. If Divya had any complaints against the ADM, she should have moved legally,” said the Kannur MP, who knew Babu personally. CWC leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged Babu's death was not suicide, but “murder unleashed by the CPM” by humiliating him in public.
He also demanded a comprehensive probe into the suicide. DCC president Martin George too said if Divya possessed any evidence against Babu, she should have approached the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, rather than making public accusations at an official event.
Government employees across political lines also organised a protest at the Kannur collectorate seeking action against Divya. Meanwhile, City Police Commissioner Ajith Kumar said no suicide note was recovered and that a probe was on. Following Babu's death, fuel station owner Prashanthan T V, came out saying he had paid `98,500 to the ADM on October 6, after which the NOC for the fuel station was issued on October 8. Prashanthan claimed that, on Divya's advice, he submitted a complaint via WhatsApp to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on October 10.
Revenue Minister K Rajan, however, said no complaint had been filed against the late official. He praised Babu, calling him a “capable and honest civil servant who could be trusted with important responsibilities.” Rajan said public representatives should act with responsibility and maturity in their words and actions, apparently referring to Divya’s behaviour. The report submitted by the collector too said no written complaint had been received from the complainant on the issue raised by Divya. A more detailed probe is under way, and a detailed report will follow, he said.
Babu had served as tahsildar in Ranni before his transfer to Kannur. He had seven month’s service left. He is survived by his wife Manjusha, Konni additional tahsildar, and daughters Niranjana and Nirupama. The autopsy was conducted at Pariyaram MCH. Tahsildar-in-charge C K Shaji conducted the inquest at Babu's quarters. A team from the Kannur revenue department will accompany the body to Pathanamthitta, where his final rites will be conducted.
Meanwhile, the CPM leadership in Kannur said Divya should have avoided the remarks during the farewell meeting. In a statement, the district secretariat said Divya's comments were inappropriate for the occasion. It also called for a detailed probe into the allegations raised as part of the development.