Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Sukumara Kurup: Kerala Fugitive's Alleged Survival Prompts Fresh Police Probe
Sukumara Kurup is a man wanted in Kerala for a murder committed in 1984.
Police say he killed a stranger named Chacko and burned the body in a car.
He allegedly did this to make people believe he had died and to collect life-insurance money.
The other people accused in the case were arrested and sentenced.
Kurup disappeared and has not been seen since then.
Recently, some media reports claimed he is alive and living in Brunei with a different name.
A former investigating officer supported that claim, but the police say it is only a rumor so far.
Kerala’s Crime Branch is now checking whether the reports are true.
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala ordered the Crime Branch to verify reports that Sukumara Kurup is still alive.
Kurup, whose real name is Gopalakrishna Kurup, is accused of murdering Chacko in 1984 to fake his own death and claim insurance money.
Investigators say Kurup and accomplices intoxicated, poisoned, strangled and burned Chacko inside a car staged to resemble an accident.
Former Crime Branch officer Ali Akbar claimed Kurup is living in Brunei under the identity John Menon, but the claim remains unverified.
The case is classified as a Long Pending case, and police say they will contact Interpol to establish the facts.
- Who
- Sukumara Kurup, whose real name is Gopalakrishna Kurup, is the fugitive at the center of the case; Kerala police and former Crime Branch officer Ali Akbar are involved in the latest developments.
- What
- Authorities are verifying reports that Kurup survived, lives in Brunei and uses the false identity John Menon.
- When
- The original crime occurred on 21 January 1984; the latest reports emerged after nearly four decades, with the case revisited by a former investigator in 2017 and media reports published recently.
- Where
- The murder and investigation were connected to Kerala; the latest unverified claim places Kurup in Brunei.
- Why
- Kurup allegedly staged his death to claim an ₹800,000 life-insurance payout.
Claims Kurup Is Still Alive
Police Say the Claim Is Unverified
Reported whereabouts
Claims Kurup Is Still Alive
Former Crime Branch officer Ali Akbar told local media that Kurup is living in Brunei under the identity John Menon, and a Malayalam news channel published an alleged recent photograph and hideout image.
Police Say the Claim Is Unverified
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the reports are currently only rumors and not verified facts.
Evidence
Claims Kurup Is Still Alive
Media reports cited alleged eyewitnesses, former investigating officers and images they claimed were connected to Kurup.
Police Say the Claim Is Unverified
The police have not confirmed the identity in the images or Kurup’s location and said they must investigate and contact Interpol.
- Real name
- Gopalakrishna Kurup
- Original crime
- Murder of Chacko and burning of his body in a car to stage an accidental death
- Date of crime
- 21 January 1984
- Insurance amount
- ₹800,000
- Reported location
- Brunei, according to an unverified media claim
- Alleged alias
- John Menon
- Case status
- Classified as a Long Pending case
- Police response
- The Crime Branch was instructed to investigate and contact Interpol