Tue Nov 05 11:20:16 UTC 2024: ## Former District Panchayat President’s Bail Plea in ADM Suicide Case Reserved by Thalassery Court

**Kannur, November 5, 2024:** The Thalassery Sessions Court on Tuesday reserved its judgment on the bail plea of P.P. Divya, former Kannur district panchayat president, who is accused of abetting the suicide of Additional District Magistrate (ADM) K. Naveen Babu. The court will deliver its verdict on Friday, November 8.

During the hearing, Divya’s defense argued that the case lacked evidence of intent to abet suicide. They pointed to alleged bribery by ADM Naveen Babu, claiming he had accepted a bribe in the presence of government official Prashanth, who was suspended on disciplinary grounds for bribery. The defense presented circumstantial evidence linking Prashanth’s actions to bribery, including phone calls and a meeting at a hotel captured on CCTV footage. They requested the court to review this evidence.

The prosecution dismissed these claims as speculative, emphasizing Naveen Babu’s unblemished record and lack of previous allegations of corruption. They argued that granting bail to Divya could influence witnesses and hinder the investigation.

Naveen Babu’s family expressed dissatisfaction with the police investigation, claiming they had failed to arrest Divya immediately and had neglected to record the statement of Naveen Babu’s wife, Manjusha. They alleged that Divya had evaded summonses and delayed cooperation with the investigation.

The family’s legal counsel suggested a potential conspiracy, urging the court to examine phone records between Divya and the Kannur District Collector. They claimed that Divya’s actions in delaying file approvals and allegations of the ADM accepting bribes could be part of a larger scheme.

Divya’s anticipatory bail application was dismissed on October 29, leading to her detention. The court’s decision on her bail plea will be announced on Friday.

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