Kozhikode: Expanding its investigation into the Koodathayi serial murder case, the police have questioned Thengumkudy Johny, the brother-in-law of prime suspect Jolly in Idukki. Johny is married to Jolly's sister.

The investigating officers reached Johny’s house at Rajakumari in Idukki and questioned him for three hours, but Johny said that he had no connection with the case except for the fact he was Jolly’s relative. Johny also agreed to cooperate fully with the probe.

Jolly Joseph, the 47-year-old woman, who allegedly poisoned to death her husband and five other family members in Kozhikode district has reportedly confessed to the chilling crime soon after her arrest on Saturday.

Jolly Joseph had allegedly mixed cyanide in the food to eliminate each family member over the years to get hold of the property and attain other personal goals.

As the probe got underway, it came to light that more murders were likely planned and at least one escaped a murder bid years ago.

Shaju to be interrogated again

The investigating team has summoned Jolly’s second husband Shaju again for interrogation. The team reached Shaju’s house at Pulikkayam and asked him to appear at the Rural SP’s office at Vadakara. Shaju was summoned again after discrepancies were found in his and Jolly's statements.

Intoxicated by watching deaths

At the same time, Jolly has told the investigators that she found thrill in witnessing deaths.

“From a young age, I enjoyed reading news related to deaths. I even delayed shifting Shaju’s first wife Sily to hospital in order to watch her last moments,” she reportedly informed the probe team.

However, Jolly also said that she no longer wished to witness any more deaths.

‘Jolly expected arrest’

Kozhikode Rural SP KG Simon told reporters that Jolly was expecting her arrest. “Jolly had travelled to Thamarassery and met her lawyer a day before her arrest. They discussed how a defence could be put up. It was based on the lawyer’s advice that Jolly did not confess on the day of her arrest,” he said.

Simon also said that the two other accused were also cooperating with the investigation. “Jolly has already confessed that she had carried out all the six murders. But nothing could be revealed on the possibility of more arrests,” he added.

200 per cent sure of conviction: SP Simon

Despite Kerala Police Chief Loknath Behera admitting that the Jolly Joseph's case is a very challenging one given how there is a gap of 14 years between the killings and the delay in the probe, Kozhikode Rural SP KG Simon, who is the chief investigating officer of the murder case, said he was confident of securing a sentence for all the accused in the case.

“The circumstantial evidence and the statements of witnesses are very strong. All the cases, including that related to the death of prime accused Jolly’s husband Roy, would lead to a conviction. The challenges posed by lack of eyewitnesses and the long delay in launching the probe would be overcome and I am 200 per cent certain that the accused would be punished by the court,” the police officer told Manorama News.

“Each of the six murders was carried out for a different purpose. More evidence would be gathered in the coming days, strengthening the cases,” the SP added.

He also said that Jolly would be subjected to a detailed psychoanalysis. “She cannot be considered as any other woman. Look how she succeeded in carrying out so many murders and covering up her tracks all these years. That she could fool her relatives and local people for long saying she was an NIT professor gives an indication of her criminal genius,” Simon said.