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Kerala orders Crime Branch probe into Kurup alive claims
The Hindu··28 Aug
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Friday called reports that fugitive Sukumara Kurup is alive mere rumours, and ordered the Crime Branch to check them. Kurup has been absconding since the 1984 murder of Chacko in Mavelikara, allegedly to fake his death for insurance money. Reports had claimed he is living in Brunei. Police will contact Interpol to verify.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Kerala Police will approach Interpol to verify Kurup's whereabouts, a step that could reopen a four-decade-old fugitive case.
- Confirmation either way would resolve one of Kerala's longest-running unsolved crime mysteries, closing or reviving the search for Kurup.
- A retired officer's claim that he had earlier reported Kurup alive raises questions about how past leads in the case were handled.
What's Happening
- Kurup is wanted for the 1984 murder of Chacko in Mavelikara, allegedly staged to fake his own death and claim a life insurance payout.
- The Kerala Police case against Kurup is classified as a Long Pending case, currently probed by the Crime Branch.
- Chennithala denied a retired police officer's claim of having submitted a report saying Kurup was alive and in contact with relatives.
Kerala's Four-Decade Manhunt
- The Kurup case dates to when Vayalar Ravi was Kerala's Home Minister, roughly 40 years ago.
- The case inspired the Malayalam film 'Kurup', starring Dulquer Salmaan in the title role.
- Multiple investigation teams have tried and failed to trace Kurup since he went absconding in 1984.
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