Kerala ADM suicide case: CPI(M) leader Divya detained after court rejects bail plea

Accused in the Kannur ADM Naveen Babu suicide case, CPI(M) leader PP Divya was taken into custody on Tuesday (October 29) by the Kerala police, hours after a court rejected her anticipatory bail plea.

“She has been taken into custody,” Kannur City Police Commissioner Ajit Kumar told reporters.

Divya has been charged with abetment to suicide in the case.

Earlier in the day, Principal District and Sessions Judge, Thalassery, KT Nissar Ahammed, rejected Divya's anticipatory bail plea.

Attending his send-off function allegedly uninvited on October 14, Divya had condemned Babu for delaying approval for a petrol pump in Chengalai for several months and remarked he had okayed it only two days after being transferred, hinting she knew the reasons behind the sudden approval. The following day, Babu was found dead at his quarters in Kannur.

Also Read: Culprits behind ADM Naveen Babu's suicide won't go scot-free: Kerala govt

Premeditated act, says court

Responding to queries regarding the alleged delay in taking Divya into custody despite a case being registered against her in connection with the suicide, the Commissioner said, “We did not intervene in a matter that was under active judicial consideration.”

He added there was a 38-page order, and based on it, “as soon as the anticipatory bail application was rejected, we sent our team to locate the accused and, in the process, took her into custody.”

The court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Divya, observing that “the circumstances itself disentitle her the relief of pre-arrest bail.” In its order, the court, referring to various judgements of the Supreme Court and High Court, observed that the act of the petitioner (Divya) is a pre-planned and premeditated one with the sole intention of insulting and humiliating a highly reputed high ranking government official.

“As submitted by the learned public prosecutor, if such a person is granted the relief of pre-arrest bail, definitely it may give a wrong message to the society. By considering her political power, one can presume that there is every possibility of influencing the witnesses by using her influence,” the court said.

Also Read: ADM’s suicide: Caught in dilemma, CPI(M) acts swiftly against Kannur district panchayat chief

Not a fit case for pre-arrest bail

Referring to a verdict of the Supreme Court which said the anticipatory bail being an extraordinary privilege should be granted only in exceptional case, the court said by considering the entire aspects including the gravity of the offence, the active role played by the accused, it was of the opinion that this is not a fit case to grant the pre-arrest bail.

“The petitioner could not make out a case that this is an exceptional case and (that) she is entitled for pre-arrest bail,” the court ruled, dismissing her plea.

Divya moved the Thalassery Sessions Court on October 19, seeking anticipatory bail after the police registered a case against her for abetting the suicide of the ADM under Section 108 of the BNSS.

The pressure mounted on the Left government to arrest Divya, who is a district committee member of the CPI (M).

Also Read: Kerala: Additional DM of Kannur found dead following corruption charge

‘Will do everything to ensure justice’

Reacting to the verdict, Babu's widow Manjusha said, “The person responsible for destroying our lives must be arrested, and we will go to any lengths to ensure justice. I have nothing more to say, but we will go to any extent.”

Breaking her silence for the first time after the incident, Manjusha, a tehsildar, said an investigation is necessary to determine if there was negligence in conducting the post-mortem of Babu before relatives arrived.

She said the district collector should not have allowed Divya to attend the staff farewell meeting at Kannur collectorate. Recording Divya’s speech via a local channel was also inappropriate, she added.

(With agency inputs)

(Suicides can be prevented. For help please call Suicide Prevention Helplines: Neha Suicide Prevention Centre – 044-24640050; Aasara helpline for suicide prevention, emotional support & trauma help — +91-9820466726; Kiran, Mental health rehabilitation — 1800-599-0019, Disha 0471- 2552056, Maithri 0484 2540530, and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.)