New Delhi, Aug. 28 -- Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Friday said that he has instructed the state Crime Branch to verify media reports of wanted fugitive Sukumara Kurup still being alive.

"I have instructed ADGP Crime Branch Venkatesh to investigate. The Kerala Police needs to contact Interpol and find out the actual truth of the matter. Right now, what we have are just rumours. These are not verified facts," Chennithala said, a day after a section of Malayalam media, citing alleged eyewitnesses and former investigating officers, reported that Kurup, whose whereabouts since 1984 are unknown, is living in a foreign country under a false identity.

Kurup, whose real name is Gopalakrishna Kurup, a former Indian Air Force airman...