Kerala government official found dead a day after CPM leader's open criticism

Thiruvananthapuram: A senior government official in Kerala was found dead a day after a CPM woman leader openly made insulting remarks against him.

Additional district magistrate of Kannur district in north Kerala Naveen Babu was found hanging at his residence on Tuesday morning.

Kannur district panchayat president and CPM leader P P Divya on Monday made insulting remarks against Babu at a send-off function at the Kannur district collectorate.

Divya was said to have attended the meeting without being invited. She criticised Babu for delaying NOC to a petrol pump application. She also termed him as corrupt. Divya left the venue stating that she did not want to be present when the officer was being felicitated.

District collector and other senior officials were present at the send-off being given to Babu on being transferred to his home town Pathanamthitta.

Babu's death had triggered a row with the Congress demanding police action against him. Congress also demanded Divya's resignation.

Putting the CPM on the defensive, CPM local leaders of Babu's native place Pathanamthitta said that Babu was not at all a corrupt officer. They also sought action against Divya.

CPM local leader Malayalapuzha Mohanan told reporters that Babu's family was a traditional CPM family and they all knew Babu for a long time. "Babu was an officer with high integrity. If Divya's open criticism led to Babu's death action should be taken against her," he said.

Babu leaves behind wife and two daughters.