Fresh questions have emerged in the case surrounding the death of former Kannur Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu after reports suggested that a key document linked to the petrol pump project at the centre of the controversy may be missing from official records.
The apparent discrepancy has raised doubts about whether the document was removed. The issue assumes significance as the state government has decided to hand over the investigation into Naveen Babu's death to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), following a demand from his family.
Pathanamthitta, Kerala: There are indications that the partnership deed submitted among the documents for approval of the petrol pump linked to the controversy surrounding the death of Kannur ADM Naveen Babu may have been kept under the rug.
A report submitted by the Taliparamba Tahsildar to the then District Collector on March 30, 2024, stated that the partnership deed had been included. However, when the controversy over Naveen Babu's death erupted, information received from the Collectorate indicated that no such agreement was available.
The partnership deed referred to by the Tahsildar was reportedly an agreement entered into by Prashanthan, who had applied for the petrol pump, with one or more persons.
This has raised suspicions that the agreement document may have been removed to conceal who was behind the petrol pump project. Prashanthan was the person who alleged that Naveen Babu had accepted a bribe for granting approval for the petrol pump.
It was in connection with the approval of this petrol pump that then District Panchayat President P.P. Divya attended Naveen Babu's farewell function uninvited on October 14, 2024, and publicly criticised him.
The following morning, Naveen Babu was found hanging in his official quarters. Naveen Babu's family had demanded an investigation into the ownership of the petrol pump.