She alleged that the SIT had shown no meaningful progress in its investigation and failed to seize critical evidence.

She alleged that the SIT had shown no meaningful progress in its investigation and failed to seize critical evidence.

She alleged that the SIT had shown no meaningful progress in its investigation and failed to seize critical evidence.

Former Kannur Assistant District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu K's wife and Konni Tahsildar Manjusha K on Tuesday approached the Kerala High Court seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into her husband’s death, citing the possibility of “homicidal hanging.”

In her petition, Manjusha levelled serious allegations against the Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by North Zone Inspector General of Police (IG) Sethu Raman, that it failed to collect critical evidence, concealed facts and encouraged the accused to fabricate false evidence.

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Manjusha stated that identifying individuals who met Babu after his farewell function on October 14, 2024, is crucial for uncovering the circumstances leading to his death. “The possibility of a homicidal hanging cannot be ruled out,” she emphasised. She also alleged that the SIT had shown no meaningful progress in its investigation and failed to seize critical evidence, such as CCTV footage from the Collectorate, the railway station, and the official quarters of the deceased.

Manjusha then criticised the hurried manner in which the inquest was conducted, claiming it was completed before she or her family could arrive at the scene. She noted that police are mandated to ensure the presence of close relatives during such procedures. She also alleged that the bribery complaint against Babu, filed by businessman Prasanthan and submitted to the Chief Minister’s Office, was fabricated. Manjusha highlighted her earlier plea to the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Kannur, on November 18, seeking the preservation of Call Detail Records (CDRs) and CCTV visuals.

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In her petition, Manjusha also claimed that former Kannur District Panchayat President P P Divya had arranged for a cameraman to record her speech with the intention of broadcasting it through the media. She accused Divya of distributing the visuals across various Revenue Department offices, including those in Pathanamthitta, where Babu was scheduled to assume his final role as ADM.

Babu was found hanging in his official quarters in Kannur on October 15, 2024, a day after P P Divya had barged into his farewell event and publicly accused him of accepting a bribe from businessman Prasanthan in exchange for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for a fuel station. Divya was later charged under Section 108 of the BNS (abetment of suicide). She was arrested after her anticipatory bail got rejected, after 13 days in hiding. She spent 11 days in judicial custody before being released.