Sukanth Suresh, the main accused in the death of 22-year-old Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer M Megha, surrendered to police on May 26. Sukanth, also an IB officer, is accused of abusing and financially exploiting Megha until her death by suicide on March 24. According to reports, Sukanth surrendered to Kochi Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Aswathy Gigi after the Kerala High Court rejected his plea for anticipatory bail on May 26.
Sukanth had been absconding since Megha’s death and police had told the court that he remained untraceable. He is now expected to be transferred to Thiruvananthapuram police for further interrogation. Sukanth was earlier terminated from his post in the IB following the allegations against him.
Dismissing Sukanth’s plea, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas reportedly pulled up police for failing to arrest Sukanth for two months after Megha’s death. According to The Hindu, the judge said, “The police have not been able to trace him so far. That means they are not keen on his arrest.”
Megha was found dead near a railway track in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district on March 24. According to police, Sukanth, who was allegedly romantically involved with her, was the last person she contacted before her death. He and his family absconded after Megha’s body was discovered. The accused’s home in Malappuram was also raided by the police, according to reports.
Megha's father, Madhusoodanan G, has alleged that Sukanth financially exploited his daughter. Her family has demanded a detailed investigation. Madhusoodanan has also previously alleged to TNM that Megha had been under threat and had been transferring her entire salary to Sukanth since October 2024. At the time, referring to Megha’s bank statements, Madhusoodanan also told TNM that around Rs 3.5 lakh has been transferred to Sukanth from his daughter’s account. He further claimed that Megha routinely struggled to afford even basic necessities including food and that there had been less than Rs 1000 in her bank account at the time of her death.
As per reports, Suresh has been charged under section 63 (rape), Section 69 (sexual intercourse on the false promise of marriage), section 75 (outraging the modesty of a woman) and section 108 (abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Reports also say that the Kerala High Court has directed the police to probe the leak of details from the case diary.
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Tamil Nadu
State health department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Andhra Pradesh
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Telangana
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm
Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.