Dramatic scenes unfolded at the house of Uthra, the young woman who was murdered by way of snakes, when her husband Sooraj, the accused in the case, was brought there by the police for evidence collection.
Uthra died of snakebite at her house in Anchal, Kollam on May 7. After rigorous questioning, Sooraj, a native of Parakode in Adoor, had confessed to plotting the murder.
At the house, Uthra's tearful mother had protested against his entry into the house. The evidence collection was carried out despite the protests.
The bottle used to carry the snake was found in an empty building near the house. Investigators say this is an important evidence in the case. The bottle was handed over to the forensic team.
Sooraj had bought the venomous snake from an acquaintance and orchestrated the murder with a snakebite while Uthra was asleep. Sooraj had bought two snakes for Rs 10,000, the police said.
After his first attempt on March 2 failed, he set out to finish the task again on May 7. Uthra was then recuperating at her parent's house after the first attack. As Sooraj was present on both occasions, her family members became suspicious.
Uthra’s parents alleged that Sooraj had an eye on Uthra’s wealth. They also filed a complaint with the police that the jewellery presented to their daughter during her wedding was missing. Police found that Uthra's bank locker, jointly operated with Sooraj, was opened on March 2.
A Crime Branch probe revealed Sooraj had prior experience handling snakes and had researched the topic on YouTube several times in the past three months. Two of his accomplices have also been detained by the police.
Sooraj had bought the snakes from Suresh, a snake-catcher from Kalluvathukkal.
Sooraj, Suresh and another accomplice were taken into custody on Sunday after a probe led by Crime Branch DySP D Asokan.
Sooraj, who first denied the allegations, confessed to the crime later.
His arrest was recorded on Sunday afternoon and he will be produced before the court on Monday.