IB officer's suicide: Sukanth charged with rape

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Intelligence Bureau officer Sukanth Suresh has been booked for rape in connection with the suicide of his colleague and romantic partner in Thiruvananthapuram. Sukanth is an IB officer based in Kochi and hails from Shukapuram, Pattambi Road, Edappal. An internal investigation has also been initiated against him by the IB. Sukanth has been on leave and in hiding since the day after the woman officer’s death.

Recently, the deceased officer's parents submitted documents to the Pettah police showing that she had sought treatment at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram eight months ago. Police confirmed from the hospital that she had undergone an abortion. Following this, the police filed charges of sexual exploitation under the pretext of marriage, cheating, and abetment to suicide. Initially, the case had only been registered as an unnatural death after her suicide eleven days ago.

The family’s allegations were not taken seriously by the police at first. Police did travel to Ernakulam to question the accused but returned after learning he had applied for anticipatory bail from the High Court.

Key evidence and challenges

• Police have obtained documents confirming that the woman underwent an abortion at a private hospital in the city.
• There is still no definitive evidence directly connecting Sukanth to the abortion. Since the fetus was destroyed, conducting a DNA test is not possible. Additionally, the officer did not leave behind a suicide note.
• Police have obtained evidence such as frequent phone calls, travel, and cohabitation between the two. The forensic team is trying to recover data from the officer’s damaged mobile phone, which was destroyed by a train.
• Records of financial transactions from the woman to Sukanth indicate the existence of a close relationship between them.
• Officials are also looking for records showing that the two had traveled and stayed together during training in Jodhpur.

Court rejects arrest stay plea
KOCHI: In response to the case involving the death of the female IB officer, the accused Sukanth Suresh sought anticipatory bail from the High Court. However, Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan did not grant a stay on his arrest. Sukanth filed for bail after the victim's parents lodged a formal complaint against him. Sukanth argued that the two had planned to get married but faced opposition from the woman’s family, which caused her mental distress.

Mystery over Sukanth receiving money from girlfriend

Sukanth comes from a financially well-off background. His father is a businessman based abroad. The police are probing why someone from such a background regularly accepted the deceased officer’s salary. They also suspect Sukanth may have been involved with other women.

“The investigation is progressing. Charges of rape have also been added,” said City Police Commissioner Thomson Jose.