Kerala Court grants bail to PP Divya accused of abetting suicide of ADM Naveen Babu

A Kerala Court on Friday granted bail to former Kannur District Panchayat President who is accused of abetting the suicide of Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu. [PP Divya v The Station House Officer, Thalassery]

The Thalassery Sessions Court today accepted her application for regular bail in the case.

Detailed judgment is awaited.

ADM Naveen Babu, was found dead at his residence the morning after a farewell ceremony organised on the eve of his transfer to another district.

Divya was accused of abetting Babu's suice as she had made some public remarks at the ceremony suggesting that Babu was involved in bribery, concerning a no-objection certificate (NOC) for a petrol pump.

Babu was found deceased the following morning, and Divya’s comments have since been linked to his death.

To avoid arrest, Divya first filed an anticipatory bail application before the Thalassery Sessions Court.

In her plea, she explained that her remarks during ADM Naveen Babu’s farewell event were not meant to pressure or harm him. According to her, the comments were made to promote administrative efficiency and address concerns regarding corruption.

However, on October 29, the Sessions Court denied her anticipatory bail.

Divya was subsequently arrested and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.

This prompted her to move the present petition for regular bail which was accepted by the Court today.

Advocate K Viswan represented Divya before the trial court. Advocates John S Ralph and PM Sajitha represented Naveen Babu's family.

Public prosecutor K Ajith Kumar represented the state.