Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Brunei Fugitive Claim Falters After Family Identifies Photograph
People shared a photograph and passport details claiming they showed fugitive Sukumara Kurup in Brunei.
Kurup has been wanted since 1984 for the alleged murder of a man named Chacko.
Kerala’s Home Minister ordered police to check whether the claim was true.
Before investigators contacted Brunei through Interpol, relatives said the photograph showed Damodara Menon instead.
Local residents and police officials also identified the man as Damodara.
Damodara is nearly 80 and has lived in Brunei for many years.
His family says his photograph and private documents may have been misused.
The Crime Branch will now investigate where the materials came from and whether they are genuine.
Damodara’s family has requested a detailed investigation and indicated it may take legal action.
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala ordered a Crime Branch probe into claims that fugitive Sukumara Kurup was living in Brunei.
The circulated photograph was identified by Kurup’s relatives and local residents as showing Thrissur native Damodara Menon.
Officials had planned to seek information from Brunei through Interpol before the photograph’s identity was challenged.
Damodara, nearly 80, has lived in Brunei for decades and is undergoing treatment after an accident.
The investigation is now examining the photograph’s origin, document authenticity and possible misuse of Damodara’s private information.
- Who
- Sukumara Kurup, Damodara Menon, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Crime Branch officials led by H. Venkatesh.
- What
- A claim that Kurup was living in Brunei weakened after relatives and local residents identified the circulated photograph as Damodara Menon.
- When
- The developments occurred on Friday, after recent reports and a viral photograph revived claims about Kurup’s whereabouts.
- Where
- The identity was challenged at Damodara’s family home in Karumathra, Thrissur; Damodara lives in Brunei.
- Why
- The Crime Branch was ordered to verify whether Kurup was in Brunei, but the inquiry shifted toward the photograph’s origin and possible misuse of personal documents.
Initial Brunei Claim
Family Identification
Identity in the photograph
Initial Brunei Claim
Reports and a retired police officer presented the photograph as possible evidence that Sukumara Kurup was alive and living in Brunei under a different identity.
Family Identification
Damodara Menon’s brother, local residents and a Special Branch official said the photograph showed Damodara, not Kurup.
Documents and personal information
Initial Brunei Claim
The photograph, passport details and a mobile connection were circulated as being linked to Kurup and were to be verified.
Family Identification
Damodara’s relatives said the photograph and passport details belonged to him and may have been misused.
Investigation focus
Initial Brunei Claim
The Crime Branch initially planned to coordinate with Interpol and seek information from Brunei about Kurup’s alleged presence there.
Family Identification
After the identification, the inquiry shifted to determining the source and authenticity of the photograph and documents.
- Fugitive
- Sukumara Kurup has been wanted since January 1984 in the Chacko murder case.
- Initial claim
- A retired police officer claimed Kurup was working in Brunei under another name and passport.
- Investigation order
- Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala assigned the verification to the Crime Branch.
- Investigation leadership
- Crime Branch chief H. Venkatesh was directed to handle the inquiry.
- Photograph identity
- Relatives, local residents and a Special Branch official identified the man as Damodara Menon.
- Damodara’s residence
- Reports variously said he has lived in Brunei for nearly 30 years or more than four decades.
- Family response
- Damodara’s relatives requested an investigation into possible misuse of his photograph and private documents and indicated possible legal action.
