Kannur ADM's Death: CPM Removes District Panchayat Prez PP Divya Over Abetment To Suicide Charges

Naveen Babu allegedly died by suicide after Divya made corruption allegations against him during his farewell party following his transfer to Pathanamthitta as ADM.

Emotions were high at the District Collectorate and the residence of former Kannur Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu in Pathanamthitta, where his mortal remains were kept for public viewing before being cremated on Thursday. His daughters lit his funeral pyre amidst the grief-stricken atmosphere.

At the same time, CPI(M) leader P P Divya, who was the Kannur District Panchayat President, was booked for abetment to suicide under section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as per a report on PTI. Later in the evening, the CPI(M) removed Divya from her post in light of the ongoing police investigation against her.

Naveen Babu allegedly died by suicide after Divya made corruption allegations against him during his farewell party, following his transfer to Pathanamthitta, his home district, as ADM for the final months of his government service.

Many, including state ministers K Rajan and Veena George, attended the funeral. Babu’s body was cremated by 4 p.m.

In the wake of the tragedy, the police registered a case against Divya under section 108 of the BNS, a non-bailable offence that carries a potential 10-year prison sentence. By late evening, the CPI(M) Kannur District Secretariat announced that Divya would be removed from her post, appointing advocate K K Ratnakumari as the new District Panchayat President.

In a public statement, Divya expressed her condolences to Babu’s family and pledged full cooperation with the police investigation. She also defended her remarks as well-intentioned criticism of corruption but admitted she should have refrained from making them at the farewell event. Divya submitted her resignation agreeing with the party's decision to step down during the investigation.

Throughout the day, several senior IAS officers paid tribute to Babu, remembering him as a dedicated and efficient officer during his 30-year government service. A former colleague, Divya S Iyer, the ex-Pathanamthitta District Collector, tearfully recounted her experiences working with Babu, describing him as a person who would never harm or hurt anyone.