CPI-M leader and former Kannur district panchayath president P.P. Divya was questioned by the police for about four hours on Friday, November 1, a day after she was arrested in the controversial suicide of Additional District Magistrate Naveen Babu.
After the questioning, Divya returned to the jail. Now, she will have to reside in the jail till Tuesday when her bail plea is going to be heard at a Sessions Court in Thalassery.
Divya surrendered before the police and was sent to a jail in Kannur on Thursday after her anticipatory bail plea was rejected.
The sequence of events which led to Divya ending up in jail started, when, she despite not being invited, turned up at Naveen Babu's send-off function on October 14 and made some critical remarks.
Naveen Babu died by suicide the very next day (October 15) and following the furore, Divya first resigned as Kannur district panchayath President and was on the run for several days after a case was filed against her on October 17.
Meanwhile, demands are coming from several quarters that the Kannur District Collector Arun Vijayan and a person T.V. Prasanth who said he paid a bribe to Babu to get a sanction for his petrol pump, should also be included as accused, apart from Divya.
The wife of Babu, Manjusha and the family are in no mood to relent and have announced they will go to any extent to ensure that they get to know the truth about why Babu had to take his own life.
CPI-M’s District secretary in Pathanamthitta, K.P. Udayabhanu, said it’s the responsibility of the Kerala government to take appropriate action against the district collector. He also added that the family of Babu has already raised their complaint against the collector.
“With regard to action against Divya, it’s an internal matter of the party,” said Udayabhanu.
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Tamil Nadu
State health department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Andhra Pradesh
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Telangana
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm
Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.