PP Divya, now in police custody after her anticipatory bail plea was denied by the Kannur District Court on October 29, faces allegations of abetting the suicide of Kannur ADM Naveen Babu. With her bail denied, the CPM had little choice but to urge Divya to surrender, though many impartial observers see this as a staged drama. According to them, the police orchestrated the arrest to align with the convenience of the ‘comrade,’ speculating that only the CPM leadership and senior police officials were aware of her whereabouts during her two-week disappearance.
The case began with the tragic death of ADM Naveen Babu, found in his official residence in the early hours of October 15. The event shocked the district, as Naveen was widely respected for his commitment to duty. Allegedly, Divya’s interactions with Naveen Babu had become contentious. She reportedly attended his farewell ceremony, where her uninvited speech took a critical turn, casting veiled accusations against him and the administration for alleged corruption. This incident, seen by many as excessive, drew widespread criticism.
The aftermath of Naveen’s death saw Divya evading arrest, though she managed a brief appearance at the District Panchayat office to submit her resignation as District Panchayat President. Notably, this office was a mere 50 meters from the local police station, sparking allegations from the BJP and Congress-led UDF that the CPM and police were protecting her. They argued that she neither surrendered nor was pursued by the police. Protests organized by the BJP’s Mahila Morcha outside the Collectorate and District Police Chief’s office were met with police crackdowns, and young BJP leader Prakash Babu was reportedly dragged on the street during one protest.
#WATCH | Kannur ADM Naveen Babu death | Kerala: Former Kannur district Panchayat President PP Divya taken away from a hospital after the medical test
She was taken into custody today. pic.twitter.com/rwPtqvr2rN
— ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2024
Growing pressure from BJP, UDF, and intense scrutiny on social media heightened discomfort for the CPM and its ruling LDF. From the outset, CPM leaders sought to defend Divya’s actions, with Kannur district leaders justifying her speech at Naveen’s farewell as a “well-intentioned” stand against corruption. However, this defense did not resonate with all; the CPM’s Pathanamthitta district committee has since distanced itself, supporting Naveen’s family instead and disregarding the narrative spun by Kannur’s leaders.
Observers note that CPM’s sudden shift to urging Divya’s surrender may be motivated by the upcoming by-elections in Chelakkara, Palakkad, and Wayanad, where the CPM is eager to manage its image. In the latest developments, P.P. Divya has been remanded to 14 days in judicial custody, her arrest officially recorded, and her presentation before the magistrate conducted under tight security before her transfer to the Kannur Women’s Jail. Following what is now being called an “arrest drama,” the public is now keen to see how the prosecution will handle the case as it moves forward in court.
