Additional District Magistrate, Naveen Babu was found dead in his government quarters on 15th of October in Pallikkunnu, just a day after being publicly reprimanded by Kannur District Panchayat President and CPM leader P. P. Divya at his farewell function.
The farewell function was kept for Naveen Babu as he was scheduled to leave Kannur (Kerala) that night to take on his new role as ADM in Pathanamthitta which is his hometown. The farewell event was attended by the district collector, journalists, and other officials. Divya, who was not formally invited, used the platform to make disparaging remarks about Babu, questioning his integrity over the issuance of a no-objection certificate (NOC) for a petrol station in Chengalayi.
The controversy surfaced during ADM Naveen Babu’s farewell gathering on Monday, where P.P. Divya, the Kannur District Panchayat President, attended without an invitation and publicly accused him of corruption. Ms. Divya’s criticisms centered around Mr. Babu allegedly ignoring her recommendations while instead approving proposals that originated from other sources. Divya questioned his integrity over the issuance of a no-objection certificate (NOC) for a petrol station in Chengalayi. Divya insinuated irregularities, claiming that her request to issue the NOC had initially been ignored but was later granted. She implied that she knew the reasons behind these actions and urged Babu to “be more truthful” in his upcoming role. Divya left the venue before presenting Babu with a memento, stating that she had “definite reasons,” which she would disclose in two days. Babu was visibly distressed by the incident.
The following day, after Babu failed to meet his family at the railway station, they alerted staff in Kannur, who later found him hanging at his quarters. News of his death spurred protests at his quarters and later outside the district panchayat office, with demonstrators demanding Divya’s removal from her position as president. His death was followed by a series of protests in Kannur where it was demanded to remove her from Kannur District Panchayat President.
CPM came out defending its leader P. P. Divya by calling PP Divya’s remarks as constructive criticism of corruption. CPM’s highest decision making body in the district said “The remarks made by the District Panchayat President at the farewell meeting were merely constructive criticism aimed at addressing corruption,”.
