Thiruvananthapuram, June24
The Kerala government led by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has appointed the daughter of late Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu to a government post, fulfilling one of the key assurances given to the bereaved family after his death.
An order issued by the government on Tuesday appointed Naveen Babu’s daughter, Niranjana, as a Food Safety Officer in the Food Safety Department. The appointment was made under the State’s compassionate employment scheme, which provides government jobs to eligible dependents of deceased government employees.
The development marks a significant step for the family, which had long sought government support following Naveen Babu’s death. His wife, Manjusha, had publicly expressed disappointment that the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had not adequately addressed the family’s concerns despite Naveen Babu and his family being considered sympathisers of the Left movement.
According to family members, they had repeatedly sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the circumstances surrounding his death, but their request did not receive approval during the previous administration. Following the change in government, Manjusha met Chief Minister Satheesan and raised two key demands — a CBI investigation into the case and a government job for her daughter.
The State government had already recommended a CBI inquiry, and the appointment of Niranjana is being seen as the fulfilment of the second assurance.
Naveen Babu’s death triggered widespread public debate across Kerala. The ADM was found dead shortly after a farewell function held in his honour in Kannur. The incident drew considerable attention after allegations surfaced that he had been publicly criticised by then Kannur District Panchayat President and CPM leader P.P. Divya during the farewell event.
According to the chargesheet filed in the case, P.P. Divya remains the sole accused. Naveen Babu had reportedly left the venue immediately after the function and was later found dead at his residence in Pallikkunnu. The case continues to remain a subject of public and political scrutiny in Kerala.
