Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday directed the State’s Additional Chief Secretary to consider and pass orders regarding prior sanction for a vigilance inquiry into the alleged benami transactions of former Kannur district panchayat president P P Divya.

Justice A Badharudheen was hearing a plea filed by Kerala Students Union (KSU) Vice-President Muhammed Shammas P, seeking a directive for a preliminary vigilance probe based on his representation (Exhibit P9) to the Director General of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB).

The complaint alleged that Carton India Alliance Private Limited, a private company, was a benami firm of Divya, with the registered directors serving as mere name lenders. It further claimed that the company was incorporated to undertake public works of the district panchayat for financial gain.

During the hearing, the government pleader stated that the file, including Exhibit P9, had been forwarded to the Additional Chief Secretary, and the Director General of Vigilance was awaiting approval to proceed. The petitioner requested that the court direct the state to decide on the sanction within a specific timeframe.

The court, taking note of Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act—which mandates prior government approval for investigating offences allegedly committed by current or former public employees—disposed of the matter, while granting the petitioner liberty to approach the Court again if his grievance was not addressed.

Divya's political career faced a major setback following the death of former Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Naveen Babu in October 2024. Divya had publicly criticised Babu during his farewell function, alleging corruption, which reportedly led to his suicide. Subsequently, she was charged with abetment to suicide.
(With LiveLaw inputs)