ADM Naveen Babu death: Police record Kannur Collector’s statement

Kannur: A team led by the Kannur Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) recorded District Collector Arun K Vijayan's statement on Monday as part of the ongoing investigation into the death of Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu. “I have presented my statements truthfully,” Arun told media.

Land Revenue Joint Commissioner seeks more time to submit report
Meanwhile, Land Revenue Joint Commissioner Geetha A has requested an extension to submit her report on the events leading to Naveen Babu's death. In a communication to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Revenue Department, she mentioned that the inquiry is ongoing, with various officials having been interviewed and relevant documents examined. However, she has been unable to reach former Kannur District Panchayat President P P Divya.

Divya, a prominent CPM leader, is currently facing charges of abetment to suicide after Naveen Babu was found dead at his official residence last Tuesday. His body was discovered hanging, just a day after Divya allegedly disrupted his farewell event and accused him of accepting a bribe from businessman T V Prasanthan. She blamed Naveen for delaying the Non-Objection Certificate (NoC) for a fuel station construction, a proposal by Prasanthan.

Naveen, who had recently been transferred to Pathanamthitta, where he was set to retire in six months, was reportedly distressed by the accusations. Divya argued that she stumbled upon the farewell event while passing by, a claim that was refuted by the Kannur Collector, who submitted a report stating that she had not been invited.