India’s Longest Longest-Running Fugitive Sukumara Kurup in Brunei?
Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Friday directed the Crime Branch to verify the veracity reports that fugitive Sukumara Kurup is still alive in Brunei
Kochi: Following multiple reports indicating that Keralam’s 1984 Chako murder case accused Sukumara Kurup, who is on the run since the crime, is living in the Sultanate of Brunei, state home minister Ramesh Chennithala has directed the police to verify these veracity reports.
Who is Sukumara Kurup?
Sukumara Kurup alias Sukumara Pillai, a native of Chengannur in Kerala is currently the longest-running fugitive in the history of independent India.
Kurup is wanted in connection with the 1984 murder of Chacko in Mavelikara, allegedly as part of a plan to fake his own death and claim a life insurance payout.
Despite several investigation teams attempting to trace him since then, Kurup has remained absconding.
The case was also adapted into a Malayalam film, "Kurup", starring Dulquer Salmaan in the titular role.
Recently, reports surfaced claiming that Kurup is alive and living in Brunei under a different name and using another passport.
ADGP Venkatesh to Investigate
Speaking to reporters, Chennithala said the case is currently being investigated by the Crime Branch and has been classified as a Long Pending (LP) case.
"I have instructed ADGP Crime Branch Venkatesh to investigate. The Kerala Police needs to contact Interpol and find out the actual truth of the matter. Right now, what we have are just rumours. These are not verified facts," he said.
He said all efforts would be made to ascertain the facts.
"The Crime Branch will gather the details and inform as soon as they are received," he said.
Chennithala also denied a claim by a retired police officer that he had submitted a report to the authorities stating that Kurup was still alive and in constant touch with his relatives in Keralam.
He said the case occurred when Vayalar Ravi was the Home Minister of Keralam.
"It has been around 40 years now. What is there to suppress? In any case, let the investigation proceed, and the truth come out. We don't know yet whether this is true or false. In any case, the government has initiated the necessary actions," he said.