Thrissur man claims viral photo attributed to fugitive Sukumara Kurup is of his brother

Amid renewed claims that fugitive Sukumara Kurup, wanted in the 1984 Chacko murder case in Keralam, is alive and living in Brunei, a Thrissur man has come forward saying that the photograph being circulated as Kurup is actually that of his brother.Karunakaran Menon of Karumathra, near Wadakkanchery, Thrissur, has said the man in the photograph is his brother, Damodaran Menon, who has been living in Malaysia for nearly three decades.The claim comes after retired police officer Ali Akbar reportedly said that Kurup was alive in Brunei and working in the construction sector. He also claimed that Kurup remained in contact with his wife and other relatives abroad.However, Karunakaran Menon strongly disputed the identification of the photograph. He said Damodaran Menon had spoken to his relatives a few months ago, but they have been unable to contact him since the photograph and reports about Kurup began circulating.According to Karunakaran Menon, his brother has been keeping poor health and has not returned home for several years. He reportedly suffered health complications following a fall, he said. Published - August 28, 2026 01:00 pm IST