Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Ex-Cop Who Probed ADM's Death Case Gets CPM Ticket for Local Body Polls
A police officer who recently retired and had investigated a case where an official died is now running for a local government position.
This official, an ADM, was found dead in his home last year.
His family believed he died by suicide after being publicly accused of corruption by a local leader.
The family wanted a different police force to investigate, but the courts said no.
Now, the retired officer who looked into the case is going to be a candidate for a political party in local elections.
A retired Kannur Assistant Commissioner of Police, TK Ratnakumar, who investigated the ADM Naveen Babu death case, has received a CPM ticket.
Ratnakumar will contest from the Kottoor ward in Sreekandapuram Municipality, Kannur district.
ADM Naveen Babu was found dead in his official quarters in October last year, reportedly by suicide following allegations made by the then-Kannur District Panchayat president, P.P. Divya.
Naveen Babu's family alleged bias in the state police investigation and sought a CBI probe, but their petitions were dismissed by the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court cited that political links alone were not sufficient grounds for a CBI investigation.
- Who
- TK Ratnakumar, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police who investigated the ADM Naveen Babu death case, has been given a ticket by the CPM.
- What
- A former police officer who investigated a death case has been fielded as a candidate by the CPM in the local body elections.
- When
- The former officer retired in March of the current year, and the ADM died on October 15 of the previous year.
- Where
- The former officer will contest from Kottoor ward in Sreekandapuram Municipality, Kannur district. The ADM was found dead in his official quarters in Pallikkunnu, Kannur.
- Why
- The former officer is contesting on a CPM ticket in the upcoming local body elections.
Family's Stance
Court's Decision
Investigation Bias
Family's Stance
Naveen Babu's family alleged the state police investigation was biased and favored PP Divya.
Court's Decision
The Supreme Court dismissed the family's petition for a CBI probe, upholding the Kerala High Court's decision.
Grounds for CBI Probe
Family's Stance
The family sought a CBI probe due to lack of faith in the state police investigation.
Court's Decision
A Kerala High Court judge observed that political links alone were not sufficient grounds for a CBI investigation.
- Candidate
- TK Ratnakumar (Retired Kannur ACP)
- Party
- CPM
- Contesting Ward
- Kottoor ward, Sreekandapuram Municipality
- District
- Kannur
- Deceased ADM
- Naveen Babu
- Alleged Cause of Death
- Suicide following public humiliation and corruption allegations
- Alleged Instigator
- P.P. Divya (then Kannur District Panchayat president)