After evading capture for over two decades, a Kerala man wanted in multiple murder cases was apprehended by police in Bengaluru. The accused had been living under a false identity for 20 years.

  • 49-year-old P. Rakesh arrested in Bengaluru after 22 years of absconding.
  • Wanted in three major cases, including murders in 2001 and 2004.
  • Living under the alias 'Sabu' for nearly two decades.
  • Arrested following a month-long special investigation by Kannur Police.

In a major breakthrough for law enforcement, the Kannur City Police have arrested a 49-year-old man who had been evading justice for 22 years. P. Rakesh, a resident of Thavakkara, Kannur, was tracked down and apprehended in the Tharabanahalli area near Bengaluru.

Rakesh was a high-profile fugitive wanted in three separate criminal cases registered at the Kannur Town Police station. These include the 2001 murder of Kombra Pradeepan, the 2004 murder of Ravindran inside the Kannur Central Jail, and an attempt to murder one Yoganandan. After being released on bail in previous instances, he went into hiding, leading the court to declare him a proclaimed offender.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the ability of fugitives to integrate into new societies using false identities poses a significant challenge to interstate criminal intelligence. Rakesh's case highlights the necessity of advanced facial recognition and cross-state coordination in modern policing.

The successful apprehension of a two-decade-old fugitive underscores the critical role of forensic image enhancement in modern criminal investigations.

The arrest was the culmination of a month-long operation led by a special team under the direction of Kannur District Police Chief Vijay Bharath Reddy. Investigators utilized an old, blurred photograph provided by an acquaintance, which was digitally enhanced by technical experts to facilitate a search in Bengaluru.

For the past 20 years, Rakesh had been living as 'Sabu,' a catering worker. He had married a woman from Thrissur and established a seemingly normal life, leaving neighbors completely unaware of his criminal past. The police team launched a midnight raid on Monday, August 17, 2026, where Rakesh reportedly attempted to resist arrest using a pet dog, but was eventually overpowered by the officers.

Did You Know?: Fugitives often move to different states and adopt common local names to blend into the social fabric and avoid detection by their home-state police.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: What crimes was P. Rakesh accused of?
Answer: He was wanted for two murders (in 2001 and 2004) and one attempted murder case.

Question 2: How did the police finally locate him?
Answer: Through a month-long investigation involving technical image enhancement of an old photograph and surveillance in Bengaluru.