CPM removes panchayat president accused of abetting Kerala official's suicide

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala CPM has removed party leader P P Divya from the post of Kannur district panchayat president in view of the suicide abetment case against her in connection with the death of additional district magistrate Naveen Babu.

Divya tendered resignation as directed by the party.

Divya had snubbed Babu at the latter's send-off function at Kannur district collectorate on Monday and even termed him corrupt in connection with giving NOC to a petrol pump application. Babu was found hanging at his residence the next day.

The incident triggered strong protest against Divya as Babu was widely considered as an officer with high integrity. Even Kerala revenue minister K Rajan openly hailed Babu. CPM leaders of Babu's home district Pathanamthitta also strongly demanded action against Divya.

Even as the CPM's Kannur leadership initially tried to justify Divya's remark as a general statement against corruption, the party was forced to act owing to the strong protest.

The police arraigned her in the case on charges of abetting the suicide.