Kerala High Court refuses to entertain PIL seeking CBI probe into the death of former ADM Naveen Babu

The Kerala High Court has refused to hear a public interest litigation filed by a social activist seeking a CBI probe into the death of former ADM Naveen Babu, stating that there is another writ petition filed by the deceased’s wife which is already pending before the Court.

Recently, Manjusha, wife of late Naveen Babu, filed a petition in the High Court Central Bureau of Investigation probe to his death, citing the possibility of murderous hanging. AND single bench The High Court directed the investigating officer to prepare a case diary and submit an affidavit regarding the investigation. The writ petition will be sent for consideration in the first week of December.

Finding that the wife’s complaint seeks similar relief, the Divisional Court Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar AND Justice S. Manu got rid of PIL.

“We have been informed by the State that the wife of the deceased has already approached the Court seeking the same compensation. Therefore, it is not necessary to entertain a public interest litigation as the matter is already pending before this Court in another writ petition. The PIL is therefore disposed of.”

Naveen Babu was found hanging at his official quarters in Kannur on the morning of October 15, 2024. On the day before his death, during his farewell party, CPM member and former president of Kannur Panchayat, PP Divya reportedly made remarks against ADM, indirectly implying that ADM had accepted bribe in in exchange for consent to a petrol pump. It is also alleged that Divya invited a local TV channel to cover the event with the intention of publicly humiliating Naveen Babu. Currently, Divya is under investigation for abetment of suicide and has been ruled out deposit. The case is currently being investigated by the Special Investigation Team.

A PIL was filed alleging delay in filing the FIR and informing the family about Naveen Babu’s death. It is also alleged that the police assumed that Naveen Babu committed suicide even before conducting the investigation and postmortem. It is further alleged that the interrogation was conducted in the absence of the deceased’s relatives. The petitioner further maintains that there is a risk that witnesses will be intimidated and intimidated if the investigation is conducted by the police, due to the political power of the accused.

The petitioner stated that any citizen can approach the Court seeking justice if the investigation is not conducted properly.

The charge was raised Supporters ND Arun Das, MC Chithrakala, PK Pretheep Kumar, A Lijimon

Case number: WP(C) 41976/2024

Case Title: Muraleedharan Koncherillam v. State of Kerala

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Ker) 759