Kannur: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) has demoted P.P. Divya, former Kannur District Panchayat President and district committee member, to the branch committee in the wake of her arrest in the suicide case of Kannur Additional District Magistrate Naveen Babu. 

The Kannur district committee announced the decision on Thursday, transferring her to the Irinavu Committee Branch.

The district committee identified what it called “serious lapses” in Divya’s conduct. The party is said to have taken to decision to oust her from all party positions. The state committee will review the district committee’s findings and is expected to make a final decision on the matter. 

The district committee's action was taken following an emergency meeting and amid mounting pressure. The CPM district leadership in Pathanamthitta also expressed their concerns, calling for action against Divya.

Divya is currently under arrest in connection with the death of Naveen Babu. This case has drawn significant attention, and the CPM’s decision comes 20 days after the case was registered. Meanwhile, the Thalassery Sessions Court is set to rule on Divya’s bail application on Friday.