Keralam Home Minister asks Crime Branch to verify reports fugitive Sukumara Kurup is alive

Kerala's Home Minister, Ramesh Chennithala, expressed on Friday (August 28, 2026) that allegations that fugitive Sukumara Kurup is still alive are merely rumors. He ordered the Crime Branch to verify the accuracy of these reports. Kurup is a sought-after individual in connection with the 1984 murder of Chacko in Mavelikara, allegedly part of a scheme to fake his own death and claim a life insurance payout.

Efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful, and the case remains unresolved. The incident was even adapted into a Malayalam film, Kurup, featuring Dulquer Salmaan as the main character. Recent reports have surfaced, suggesting that Kurup is alive and residing in Brunei under an alternate identity and passport. Chennithala, while addressing reporters, stated that the case is currently under investigation by the Crime Branch, which has been classified as a Long Pending (LP) case.

The Home Minister instructed ADGP Crime Branch Venkatesh to investigate the matter and stressed that the Kerala Police must reach out to Interpol to ascertain the true circumstances surrounding the allegations. For the time being, all the information available is merely rumors that have not been substantiated. Chennithala emphasized that the Crime Branch would collect the necessary details and inform the public as soon as they receive it.

Additionally, he denied a claim made by a retired police officer that he had submitted a report to the authorities stating that Kurup was alive and in constant contact with his family members in Kerala. The retired officer had made this assertion when Vayalar Ravi was the Home Minister of Kerala. Chennithala noted that this occurred around 40 years ago, and there is no reason to suppress the truth.

He reiterated that the government has initiated the necessary steps and that the investigation will proceed, and the truth will emerge eventually.