Kerala High Court quizzes police for delay in arresting IB officer Sukanth Suresh for girlfriend's suicide

The Kerala High Court on Thursday questioned State Police on why Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Sukanth Suresh, accused of having played a role in the suicide of his 24-year-old girlfriend and colleague, has not yet been arrested [Sukanth Suresh P v State of Kerala & ors]..Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas noted that no arrest has been made nearly two months after the victim's death. This is despite the fact that Suresh, who moved the court for anticipatory bail, is yet to be granted any order protecting him from arrest."This bail application was filed on April 3, 2025. It's almost going to be 2 months. You are not able to trace him despite all this? That means you're not keen on his arrest? There is no interim order, so then probably the police doesn't need him for custodial interrogation?," Justice Kurian remarked. The judge also asked if this lack of action is to be attributed to the fact that Suresh is an IB officer."How long can a person abscond like this in these modern times... and if he's working in the intelligence Bureau does that protect him from arrest?," Justice Thomas orally observed. .A 24-year-old female officer, who was posted at the Immigration Department of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, was found dead near the railway tracks at Chakka on March 24, 2025.The Pettah Police registered a first information report (FIR) following a complaint by the deceased's father. The father alleged that his daughter had been in a relationship with 31-year-old Suresh who took her salary over several months and later refused to marry her.A case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with abetment of suicide, was registered against him and is currently being investigated by the Police..Suresh subsequently moved the High Court for anticipatory bail asserting that he played no role in his former girlfriend's death.He contended that the two were in a consensual live-in relationship and that they had mutually agreed to marry.Suresh's counsel submitted that the deceased was under severe pressure from her parents, which led to her suicide.Opposing Suresh's plea for anticipatory bail, the public prosecutor stated that this was a clear case of emotional and financial exploitation. It was also submitted that Suresh was in another relationship while he shared a physical relationship with the deceased.The prosecutor asserted that these facts amounted to cheating as well as abetment of suicide. The prosecutor also alleged that there was evidence pointing to rape as well..After questioning the police regarding its apparent inaction, the Court today reserved its verdict on the matter. It also directed that Suresh shall not be arrested till May 26, when the Court is expected to deliver its judgment..Suresh was represented by advocates CP Udayabhanu, Navaneeth N Nath, Rassal Janardhanan A, PR Ajay, Boban Palat, PU Pratheesh Kumar, KU Swapnil, Swetha Bijumon, Pranav Ushakar and RK Asha.The victim's mother was represented was represented by advocates George Mathew, Stephy K Regi, Adithya Benzeer, Medha BS, John Zachariah Dominic, VS Vineeth Kumar, Sunil Kumar AG, Mathew KT, George KV and Boby Mathew..[Read live coverage of hearing]