The blood stains found on the undergarment of former Kannur ADM Naveen Babu, who was found dead in his official residence in October 2024, were because of renal stone or any other pathology, according to the statement given to the special investigation team (SIT) by Dr Prajith TM, who conducted the postmortem examination of Naveen Babu's body.

The order issued by the High Court dismissing the plea for a CBI inquiry on Monday includes the statement of Dr Prajith, Professor and Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine, Government Medical College, Kannur.

The petition filed by Manjusha K, wife of Naveen Babu, pointed out the discrepancy between the inquest report and the autopsy report about the presence of blood stains on the undergarment of Naveen Babu. It was cited that the inquest report indicates the presence of blood stains, but there is no mention of any blood or stains in the post-mortem findings. The counsel of Manjusha said that this discrepancy leaves the cause of the blood stains unexplained, raising suspicion. The order of the HC cites that the investigation team questioned and recorded the statement of Dr Prajith T M.

"He was questioned specifically with reference to the blood stains found on the undergarment. The doctor stated that the possibility of renal stone or any other pathology in the urinary bladder, ureter, or urethra can cause bleeding through the external genitalia. Thus, the investigation was conducted to ascertain the reason for the blood stains found on the undergarment," the order pointed out.

During the course of the investigation, the SIT seized two smartphones from the scene, examined the same with the assistance of Cyber Cell, Kannur, and collected call history, e-mail details, G-Pay details, social media account details and Google Timeline. No suicide note was recovered either from the body of the deceased or from the place of occurrence. The phone of the deceased was subjected to inspection by the Cyber Cell, but no suicide note could be detected, according to the case diary submitted by the SIT. Manjusha had earlier alleged that homicidal hanging cannot be ruled out. SIT has told the court that it is investigating the possibility of a homicidal hanging.

The HC ruled out the need for transfer of probe to CBI saying that the transfer of investigation from the state investigating agency to the CBI should be directed by the superior courts sparingly, only in exceptional cases where the investigation already conducted is found to be so unfair, tainted, mala fide and in violation of the settled principles of investigative canons.

"Certainly, this is not such a case. The mere reason that the accused has political allegiance to the ruling party is not a ground to transfer the investigation of the crime from the state investigating agency to the CBI," said the order issued by Justice Kauser Edappagath.