The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala is planning to hand over the case related to the alleged abetment of Kannur Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu's suicide to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) on Sunday criticized the move as "politically motivated."
Family Demands CBI Investigation
Babu's family had recently met Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan and sought an urgent CBI investigation into the politically sensitive suicide abetment case. During the meeting, they reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction with the ongoing police investigation. The family's appeal has prompted the government to consider the transfer of the case to the central agency.
Government Yet to Issue Formal Notification
The Kerala government is yet to issue a formal notification granting consent to the CBI to investigate the case. This development is set to become the first major probe handed over to the central agency since the UDF returned to office. State police have already filed a chargesheet in the case, with former Kannur district panchayat president and CPM functionary P. P. Divya named as the sole accused.
Allegations Against the Accused
Divya is accused of levelling corruption allegations against the ADM in Kannur, allegedly driving him to die by suicide at his official residence the following morning. The chargesheet details the sequence of events leading to the tragic incident.
CPM Criticizes the Move
CPM's Kannur district secretary K. K. Ragesh criticized the state government's plan to hand over the probe to the CBI. He pointed out that both the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court had earlier rejected the demand for a CBI investigation. "Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan is not above the courts," he said.
Court Directives Ignored?
Ragesh stated that after the family sought a reinvestigation, the inquiry conducted as per the court's directive found that certain aspects had not been considered by the vigilance department. The Kerala High Court had then directed vigilance officials to examine those aspects as well. "In such a situation, there is no doubt that ordering a CBI probe, which was even rejected by the Supreme Court, is a purely political move," he added.
Ragesh alleged that Satheesan had more faith in the CBI, which he described as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's force, than in the state's own investigative agencies. The CPM leader's comments highlight the political tensions surrounding the case.
Political Implications
The decision to involve the CBI is seen as a significant step by the UDF government, which has been in office for a relatively short period. The move is likely to further strain relations between the ruling coalition and the opposition CPM, which has been vocal in its criticism. The case has garnered widespread attention due to its sensitive nature and the involvement of a senior administrative officer.
As the government prepares to issue the formal notification, all eyes are on the legal and political ramifications of this decision. The CBI probe could potentially uncover new evidence and bring clarity to the circumstances surrounding Naveen Babu's death.
