Kerala HC rejects plea for CBI probe into ex-Kannur ADM's death

NEW DELHI: The Kerala High Court on Monday dismissed a petition seeking a CBI investigation into the death of former Kannur ADMNaveen Babu.It issued the order in response to a plea challenging the single bench's earlier decision to reject a petition filed by Babu's widow, who sought to transfer the investigation into her husband's alleged suicide to the CBI.Speaking to the media, Babu's relatives expressed dissatisfaction with the Kerala Police SIT's ongoing investigation and indicated their intention to seek redress from the Supreme Court.The single bench, whilst dismissing the family's petition on January 6, instructed the DIG (Kannur) to supervise the current SIT probe.Babu reportedly took his own life in Kannur after facing corruption accusations from former Kannur District Panchayat President P P Divya during his farewell ceremony.At his farewell function on October 14 last year, the CPI(M) leader appeared without invitation and criticised Babu for causing delays in approving a petrol pump project in Chengalai.She pointed out that he had granted the approval merely two days after his transfer, suggesting she was aware of the reasons for this sudden decision.Subsequently, the police arrested Divya in relation to the incident.Manjusha, Babu's widow, sought intervention from the High Court, contending that the investigation was not being conducted properly.She expressed concerns about potential interference in the investigation, citing Divya's substantial political connections.