Opposition criticizes police and CPM’s role

Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi: Opposition leader V D Satheesan has demanded that the state govt approve a CBI investigation into the death of former Kannur additional district magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu, following a petition from his wife to the high court seeking such a probe. Speaking to the media on Wednesday in Kochi, Satheesan accused the govt and CPM of shielding the accused instead of delivering justice."The police are attempting to frame Naveen Babu as a corrupt official. It is highly suspicious that the police have shown no interest in investigating the complaint about the fake letter accusing him of bribery," Satheesan said. He said the police's actions were "mysterious" and only a CBI investigation could uncover the truth.Satheesan also criticized the alleged hypocrisy of CPM, pointing out that while its state secretary M V Govindan extended support to Naveen Babu's family, Govindan's wife welcomed accused P P Divya upon her release from jail. "There are even suspicions that this could be a case of murder," he said, adding that a thorough investigation would uncover those backing T V Prashanth, who levelled corruption allegations against the ADM.Despite Naveen Babu's wife's request to avoid conducting the autopsy at Pariyaram Medical College, where Divya's husband and Prashanth were employed, the procedure was carried out at the same hospital, the opposition leader said. Additionally, while it is claimed that Babu visited the railway station, the investigation team has failed to review any CCTV footage, Satheesan said.Speaking in Thiruvananthapuram, KPCC president K Sudhakaran MP echoed these concerns, alleging that the probe was sabotaged to protect Divya and accusing the Kannur CPM lobby, including chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, of sabotaging the investigation. Sudhakaran claimed that this lobby orchestrated false bribery allegations and ensured legal protection for the accused. Sudhakaran, like Satheesan, emphasized the need to investigate the collector's involvement in Babu's death. Both leaders accused CPM of betraying victims' families and displaying double standards, demanding accountability and justice for Babu's family.