The police have gathered more evidence against Sooraj, the accused in the murder of his wife Uthra using venomous snakes in Kerala's Kollam district on May 7.

During a round of questioning on Thursday, the investigating officers learned from one of Sooraj's friends that he had sought to meet a lawyer and get an anticipatory bail when it seemed his arrest was likely. When his friend pressed him for answers, Sooraj had reportedly revealed the details of the murder.

Another friend, the medical store owner from whom Sooraj had bought the sleep-inducing pills, the store's workers, and a friend of Sooraj's sister too were questioned by the police on Thursday.

Sooraj had revealed on Thursday that he had drugged his wife before releasing the snake on her. He was nabbed on May 24 from the residence of his sister's friend. Later, during rigorous questioning, he had confessed to plotting the murder.

Uthra died of snakebite at her house in Anchal, Kollam on May 7. She was here recuperating from a previous snakebite – Sooraj's foiled murder attempt on March 2. When Uthra was in a pill-induced slumber, Sooraj released the snakes on her and orchestrated the murder.

Sooraj had bought two venomous snakes for Rs 10,000 from an acquaintance Suresh, a snake-catcher.

Despite these mounting proofs, Sooraj had on Thursday claimed that he was innocent and that he was forced to admit the crime by the police. Sooraj alleged that the container that was supposedly used to carry the snake – considered to be vital evidence in the case – was planted at Uthra's house by the police. He said his fingerprints on it too was set up with brute force.

To foolproof the case, the investigating officers are considering making Suresh an approver in the case. The officers will approach the court regarding the matter. The investigation is led by Crime Branch DySP A Ashokan.

More people will be questioned in the coming days, police said.

Anchal CI did not investigate thoroughly: KWC Chairperson

Meanwhile, MC Josephine, Chairperson of Kerala Women's Commission (KWC), has alleged that the Anchal Circle Inspector (CI) had failed to investigate the death diligently.

She said Uthra's brother had, on the day of her death, shared his suspicion regarding the death to the CI after two incidents – on March 2 and May 7 – of similar nature.

A report will be sought from the Rural SP, the activist added.