22 years on the run: AI-enhanced photo helps Kerala Police catch fugitive from Karnataka

Kannur, Kerala: A man wanted in two murder cases and an attempted murder case was arrested after evading police for 22 years.

Ragesh, 49, hailing from Thavakkara, Kannur, was arrested around midnight on Monday by a special police team led by Kannur City Police Commissioner Vijay Bharat Reddy and ACP MP Azad.

He was arrested while living in hiding at Tharabanahalli in Karnataka. Police had searched his house several times in the past but could not find any leads. The investigation took a turn after police learned that Ragesh had worked in Bengaluru and obtained an old photograph of him from a friend.

Ragesh had even removed photographs from his family home. He reportedly told his family that he wanted to become a film actor and needed the photographs to send for an opportunity. During the investigation, police digitally enhanced an unclear photograph with the help of professional experts. This proved crucial in identifying and tracing him.

A friend later informed police that Ragesh had been spotted at a catering establishment run by a Malayali near Bengaluru. Based on the information, the investigation team camped in the area and kept him under surveillance.

Police eventually traced his phone details, which indicated that Ragesh was staying in a rented house in a densely populated residential area. The team raided the house and arrested him.

Ragesh had reportedly been living under the name Sabu for nearly 22 years after marrying a woman from Thrissur. Working in catering under the assumed identity, he had kept a low profile, and local residents were unaware of his past.

Police traced the details of the two-wheeler he was using, which helped establish that Sabu was actually Ragesh. Verification of the vehicle's registration certificate (RC) details provided a phone number, which was found to be registered in Ragesh's name.

Ragesh was wanted in the 2001 murder of Kombra Pradeepan, a case that had shocked Kannur, the 2004 murder of CPM worker Raveendran inside Kannur Central Jail, and an attempted murder case involving his friend Yoganandan.

He had reportedly jumped bail and remained absconding for years. Ragesh was produced before the Kannur First Class Magistrate Court and remanded to custody.