A. Geetha, Land Revenue Joint Commissioner, submitted her inquiry findings on ADM Naveen Babu's death to the government, exonerating him. The report confirms he promptly issued the No Objection Certificate and found no evidence of bribery
Published Oct 24, 2024 | 10:14 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 24, 2024 | 10:14 PM
Land Revenue Joint Commissioner A. Geetha, who led the departmental inquiry into the death of ADM Naveen Babu, submitted her findings to the government on Thursday.
Land Revenue Joint Commissioner A Geetha, who led the departmental inquiry into the death of ADM Naveen Babu, submitted her findings to the government on Thursday.
The report exonerates Naveen Babu. It states there was no delay on his part in issuing the ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) for a petrol pump. The pump in question is in the midst of corruption allegations against Babu. The report also confirms there is no evidence to suggest that Naveen Babu accepted any bribes related to the matter.
Babu, reportedly, died by suicide, at his official quarters on 15 October. He was found dead a day after a farewell function. At the function, Kannur Panchayat President and CPI(M) leader, PP Divya, made disparaging comments about him.
Following Babu’s death, the state government ordered a probe by the Joint Commissioner of Land Revenue. The probe looked into the incidents that preceded the tragedy, and the allegations of corruption that Divya had raised.
According to the report, any delays in the process were due to the required approvals from other departments.
It further clarifies that the file in question remained on Naveen Babu’s desk for only six working days. It indicated there was no undue delay on his end.
Geetha has revealed that PP Divya was responsible for leaking the farewell function video to the media. The footage depicted ADM Naveen Babu being publicly humiliated during his farewell meeting.
The inquiry confirmed that allegations against Naveen Babu, which claimed he had delayed actions on a file concerning a fuel station, were baseless.
Additionally, the Joint Commissioner has procured video footage from the television news channels that broadcasted the incident and gathered statements from the media personnel involved.
However, Divya has not been cooperative throughout the investigation, prompting the Land Revenue Commissioner to refrain from recording her statements.
During the inquiry, Kannur District Collector Arun K Vijayan refuted the claims of any conspiracy surrounding the farewell meeting. Arun said he had a conversation with PP Divya on the morning of 14 October, during the social solidarity week celebration which he was overseeing. It was during this event that Divya asked about the timing of the farewell meeting.
The Collector also noted that the delay in relieving Naveen Babu from his position in Kannur, following his transfer order, was due to a staff shortage.
Additionally, TV Prasanth stated that he had not communicated any prior intentions regarding his plans to open a fuel station. He only reached out to Divya after encountering delays in securing the necessary license and informed her of the situation at that time.
The anticipatory bail plea of former District Panchayat President P P Divya will be decided by the Thalassery Principal Sessions Court on 29 October. During the proceedings, Principal Sessions Judge K T Nisar Ahmed heard the arguments presented by both sides.
In her defense, Divya’s counsel questioned whether Prashanth, who is also involved in the case, was acting as a benami. The defense further argued, “Who would have anticipated that speaking out against corruption could lead to suicide?”
Public Prosecutor K Ajith Kumar countered Divya’s claims, asserting that while she raised allegations of corruption with the District Collector, the manner in which she did so was inappropriate, as reflected in the Collector’s response.
Divya maintained in court that she had informed the Collector of her intention to attend a particular event via phone, where the deputy collector invited her to speak.
On the topic of the No Objection Certificate (NoC) for a petrol pump in Chengalai, Divya acknowledged that she had inquired about delays in the NoC process from the ADM. She explained that the ADM had indicated the matter was complex. Divya clarified that she never directly accused the ADM of wrongdoing and only learned about the grant of the NoC on the day of his farewell.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
