Uthra Case : 27 Circumstances Which Proved Murder Using Live Cobra

The cold-blooded murder of a 25-year-old differently-abled woman in Kerala had shaken the public conscience for a sundry of reasons; particularly for its insensitivity. It was not the first time a natural snake bite was weaponised to cover up a planned murder in the country. But it was a first in the State. "For the first time in the history of Kerala, the modus operandi of using a live cobra as a weapon for murder was adopted, for inflicting deadly envenomation on a hapless victim who was bedridden." Perhaps for this reason, the Police and the prosecution were hell-bent on deciphering the truth behind Uthra's death. And hence commenced a comprehensive investigation that led to the filing of a 1,000 paged charge sheet.When the matter reached the Court, the prosecution was presented with the biggest of hurdles to prove the guilt of the husband in the case; all it had was an extensive collection of circumstantial evidence.How did the prosecution overcome this hurdle? How did it manage to link 29 circumstances to drive home a solid case; solid enough to lead to the first-ever conviction in the country for a murder induced by fatal snakebite? Read on to find out. What Happened To Uthra?On 7th May 2020, Manimekhala went to her daughter Uthra's bedroom to find her lying motionless with her left hand hanging out of the cot, her mouth wide open. Upon raising alarm, Uthra was taken to the hospital where she succumbed to death. The doctors informed the unconsolable family that she died from a snake bite. Later, it was identified to be that of a cobra's venom.Despite several attempts to camouflage the murder as a mythical 'serpentine curse', Uthra's parents were convinced it was not a case of a natural snake bite. They demanded an investigation. Why Were Uthra's Parents Suspicious?Uthra's family had compelling reasons to suspect that their daughter's death was a murder. Less than two months ago, she was taken to the hospital for a mysteriously identical incident - a snake bite while she was fast asleep. Only that time, it was a viper that had attacked her.The fact that Uthra had complained of seeing a viper in her matrimonial home the week before the first incident strengthened their hunch.Curiously, on all three occasions, Uthra's husband Suraj was in close proximity. Under such circumstances, her parents did not think twice before pointing an accusing finger at Suraj, Uthra's husband and the father of their 2-year-old son. Who Is Chavarukavu Suresh? How Did He Turn An Approver?Suraj was found to have purchased both the snakes, namely the viper and the cobra from Chavarukavu Suresh, a notable snake handler. The retrieved call details proved that the duo was in contact throughout the months during which Suraj made his attempts to eliminate Uthra. Accordingly, Suresh was arrested along with Suraj and arrayed as the 2nd accused when the murder came to light. However, while undergoing judicial custody, he filed an application stating that he was willing to give a disclosure statement.Upon verifying, the Chief Judicial Magistrate tendered pardon upon Suresh, and he was accordingly deleted from the array of the accused and made an approver. The 27 Circumstances That Helped Prosecution Prove The Murder:The prosecution proved the case solely relying on circumstantial evidence. In the Indian legal system, to convict an accused based on circumstantial evidence, all the circumstances proved should point out only to the guilt of the accused, not to a hypothesis that points to his innocence. In this case, the prosecution successfully proved 27 out of the 29 circumstances relied on to prove the guilt of the accused. They were as follows:1. Uthra died due to unnatural and homicidal Cobra envenomation.2. In January 2020, Uthra's parents decided to take her back to their residence as cruelty meted out to Uthra became unbearable. They asked Suraj to return all the assets he had received on account of the marriage. Hearing this demand, the accused interfered, redeemed their confidence and managed to convince Uthra to stay in his home. 3. The accused searched about snakes and snake handlers frequently from January 2020 onwards and contacted Suresh, the snake handler and met him in person on 18.2.2020. 4. After the meeting dated 18.2.2020, the accused requested Suresh for a demonstration of snakes at his house with venomous snakes. When he came to know about Suresh catching a viper on 24.2.2020, he requested Suresh for a demonstration on the very next day and offered an amount of Rs.10,000/- as consideration.5. On 26.2.2020 at 5.20 a.m., Suresh handed over Russell's Viper to the accused, for Rs. 10,000 in the presence of one Premjith. 6. On the same day after one hour, a demonstration with snakes were conducted at the instance of the accused. The accused handled a snake without any fear and with skills in that demonstration.7. On 27.2.2020, Uthra was confronted with a snake on the landing space of the staircase when she went to the...

Uthra Case : 27 Circumstances Which Proved Murder Using Live Cobra

Hannah M Varghese

From busting the 'serpentine curse' myth to unravelling a merciless murder, the prosecution faced several obstacles before it could successfully prove the guilt of the accused.

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