The Supreme Court has refused to allow a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the death of Kerala Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu.
His wife, Manjusha, had filed the plea, seeking a probe by an independent central agency, citing concerns over political interference and impartiality.
The matter was heard by a bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and K. Vinod Chandran, who declined to overturn the Kerala High Court’s earlier ruling against the transfer of the investigation.
High Court Found No Grounds For Central Inquiry
The Kerala High Court had previously dismissed Manjusha’s request on March 3, stating that a probe cannot be handed over to the CBI based solely on emotional grounds. The court observed that “investigations cannot be transferred to CBI based on personal feelings of the victim,” and emphasized that such a move requires “reasonable apprehension based on concrete facts.”
Following this, Manjusha approached the Supreme Court, but the apex court upheld the High Court’s decision and denied her petition.
Political Accusations
Naveen Babu was discovered hanging in his official quarters on October 15, 2024. In the days that followed, serious allegations emerged against PP Divya, a leader from the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist). According to Manjusha, Divya made public corruption accusations against Babu during his farewell function—an act she believes pushed him into emotional distress.
She further alleged that Divya’s influence over local authorities might prevent a fair investigation, which, in her view, justified a probe by a neutral agency like the CBI or the Crime Branch. She also hinted at a possible homicidal angle to the incident, raising further doubts about the nature of her husband’s death.
Representing Manjusha, senior advocate Sunil Fernandes highlighted Babu’s exemplary career in government service, stating that he had “an impeccable service record of 30 years” and was close to retirement. Babu had recently been transferred from Kannur to his home district and was being honored with a farewell event when Divya allegedly made “certain scurrilous remarks against him.”
Fernandes argued that the unexpected public humiliation deeply impacted Babu, just days before his death.
Investigation To Remain With State Authorities
Despite these concerns, the Supreme Court ruled that there was no legal basis to intervene. With both the High Court and the Supreme Court rejecting a CBI probe, the investigation will continue under the jurisdiction of the Kerala state police.
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