Thiruvananthapuram: The Crime Branch has shared information with Interpol following reports that fugitive Sukumara Kurup is in Brunei. The police have also unofficially gathered information from Malayalis living there. An investigation is also underway in Kerala, focusing on the photographs that have surfaced.

The development comes as the Crime Branch was preparing to close the case after concluding that Sukumara Kurup, accused in the Chacko murder case, may have died. Reports emerged the other day suggesting that he is still alive and living under another name in the Brunei-Malaysia border region.

However, the Kerala Police have no authentic information to substantiate the claim. The police have therefore decided to verify the reports and ascertain how much truth they contain. Following this, the police began taking further steps soon after the reports emerged.

The police Cyber Operations wing and the Crime Branch team began gathering information on Thursday itself. It is learnt that an unofficial message has been sent to Interpol. Crime Branch chief H. Venkatesh will now formally write to Interpol. The Kerala Police cyber wing has also begun examining the photographs that have surfaced, purportedly showing Sukumara Kurup.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the case involving Sukumara Kurup is a long-pending case being investigated by the Crime Branch. He said he had directed Crime Branch ADGP H. Venkatesh to look into the reports.

"The Kerala Police need to get in touch with Interpol and ascertain the facts. What we have now are rumours; nothing has been confirmed," Chennithala added.