Kerala ADM suicide: CPI-M leader Divya did not get pre-arrest bail

Kannur, October 29 (IANS): Contrary to the ruling CPI-M decision, the Kerala court on Tuesday rejected party leader PP Divya’s bail plea in the Kannur Additional District Magistrate Naveen Babu suicide case.

In a one-line order, the Thalassery court said Divya’s bail plea was “rejected”.

Babu was found hanging in his house on October 15 and a case was filed on October 17 due to Divya’s harsh words and Divya was on the run since then.

He allegedly made some remarks about corruption during a conversation while attacking Babu on October 14, which allegedly drove him to commit suicide the next day.

Reacting to the court’s order on Tuesday, Babu’s brother, a lawyer by profession, said they were happy that Divya’s pre-arrest bail plea was rejected.

“If he approaches the Supreme Court now, we will file our affidavit against him. We are fighting a legal fight, not a political fight. The police could have arrested him but failed to arrest him. We just want a fair trial in the case,” said Babu’s brother.

Reacting to the rejection of Divya’s request for pre-arrest bail, Babu’s wife said that the police should arrest her.

“My wife’s examination and autopsy were done before our family members reached Kannur. I’m not saying he’s a clean officer because he’s my husband, but everyone knows who he is. I am also a civil servant in the same department, so I know how it works,” said Babu’s wife.

Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s office was protecting the accused.

“Everyone knows that the accused is protected by the Vijayan office. It is unfortunate that law and order has been disrupted in the state. The government and CPI-M are protecting the accused,” said Satheesan.

During the bail plea hearing, Divya’s lawyer argued that she had no ill intention while talking about Babu and was just making a general statement against corruption.

The prosecutor opposed the bail request.