Police seek dismissal of plea for further probe into ADM Naveen Babu’s death

The police have submitted a report to the Kannur Judicial First Class Magistrate’s court recommending dismissal of the plea filed by Manjusha, wife of former Additional District Magistrate (ADM) K. Naveen Babu, seeking further investigation into his death.

In a report submitted by Kannur Town police Inspector and investigating officer Sreejith Koderi, the police stated that all aspects of the case had been thoroughly investigated and the sole accused, former district panchayat president P.P. Divya, was found guilty. The police maintained that the petition was neither legally nor factually sustainable.

The police also pointed out that both the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court had earlier rejected petitions filed by Naveen Babu’s family seeking to transfer the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), upholding that the investigation had been conducted properly. The court has adjourned the case to August 23, 2025 to consider these issues.

‘To prolong proceedings’

Supporting the police’s stand, Divya’s lawyer K. Viswan argued that all evidence had already been collected and the plea was merely intended to prolong the proceedings. He maintained that the demand for further investigation was baseless.

Manjusha had filed her petition on August 5 alleging that the probe was biased and aimed to portray Naveen Babu as having accepted a bribe. She claimed evidence was either dismissed or distorted in favour of the accused.

Naveen Babu was found dead at his residence on October 15, 2024. Following this, a special investigation team filed a chargesheet against Divya, accusing her of abetment to suicide.