CPI(M) leader accused of abetting district officer’s suicide out on bail

CPI(M) leader and former Kannur District Panchayat President PP Divya was released from jail on Friday on bail. Earlier in the day, the court had granted her bail in the case related to the suicide of former Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu.
Divya, who had been in jail since October 29, expressed sadness over Babu’s death and stated that, like his family, she also wanted a thorough investigation. She said she trusted the law and looked forward to proving her innocence in court. Divya emphasised that she always interacted with officials with good intentions.
Earlier in the day, Judge KT Nissar Ahammed granted her bail with conditions that she could not leave Kannur, must not try to influence witnesses, and must report to the investigating officer on Monday. Two people also had to stand as sureties for her bail.
Her lawyer noted that while bail was a relief, more details needed to be presented in court to uncover the truth.
Party leaders in Kannur welcomed the bail decision, acknowledging Divya’s mistakes but asserting that she should not be cast aside. They emphasised that she, like anyone else, had rights.
Before the bail decision, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan expressed support for Divya, saying the party’s goal is to guide its members, not abandon them. He said there was no issue with party leaders visiting her, as she was still a party member.
After she was named as an accused in the case of Naveen Babu’s death and was taken into custody, the CPI(M) had stripped her of all positions. CPI(M)’s Kannur District Secretary MV Jayarajan had said that Divya’s actions had hurt the party’s image. However, the party made it clear that Divya was not seen as an enemy but as a member who needed correction.
Divya had attended Babu’s farewell event on October 14, where she criticised him for delaying the approval of a petrol pump and hinted at knowing why he approved it only after being transferred. Babu was found dead in his quarters the next day.
Babu’s wife expressed disappointment at the court’s decision and said the family would discuss their next steps with their lawyer and continue their legal battle.