Homicide by Snake bite: Kerala murder Case

Snake bite is an important and serious problem in many parts of the world, especially in South Asian countries. It has been estimated that five million snake bite cases occur worldwide every year, causing about 100,000 deaths. On average, nearly 200,000 people fall prey to snake bite per year in India and 35,000 –50,000 of them die every year[1]In India, there are 216 species of snake, of which only four are venomous, namely cobra, krait, Russel’s viper and saw-scaled viper.[2] Snake bite is an important and serious problem in many parts of the world, especially in South Asian countries. In India, the highest incidence of snake bite was found in the age group 21– 50 years.[3] Similar is the case mentioned below where a snake was used to kill a woman.

The police on 24th May, 2020 arrested a man in Kollam district of Kerala, for allegedly murdering his wife and trying passing it off as a snakebite death.

The accused, Sooraj, was married to Uthra, for two years and have a one year old son from the wedlock. The woman’s parents alleged foul play after she died of snakebite on May 7 where she was still recovering from an earlier snakebite. She was earlier bit by a snake on 2nd of March and was under treatment. The husband was present on both the occasions thus raising a suspicion in the minds of the woman’s parents. Sooraj has revealed that he had sedated his wife using sleep-inducing pills before releasing the snake on her.

A case was filed with the District Police Chief stating that it was impossible for the snake to enter a closed, air conditioned room and the snake was planted by Sooraj. He reportedly removed Uthra’s gold jewellery from the bank locker on 2nd of March i.e. the day she was first bitten by a snake. It was also alleged that the woman faced dowry harassment and thus was murdered for her gold and property.

After the investigation Police said that Sooraj confessed that he brought the snake in a bottle and threw it on Uthra while she was asleep. According to the police, he brought the snake from Suresh who is recognized as the accomplice in the case, he is a snake handler and was paid Rs. 5000 for each snake. The snakes were exchanged on April 24, during the second phase of lockdown and so the place was deserted.

It was further found that Sooraj had been plotting the murder for three months and he searched on the handling of the snake on YouTube several times in the past three months.

Days after confessing the crime Sooraj is now claiming that he was forced to admit the crime by the police. He also alleged that the snake container which is vital evidence in the case was planted by the police and his fingerprints on it too were setup with brute force.

Police investigations also found that Sooraj has a history of malpractice and he committed fraud at a financial firm where he worked, which was settled by Uthra’s father by paying Rs. 50,000.

In a new twist to the case the Crime Branch Team found that Sooraj killed his wife to claim her insurance policy which he got in her name before her death.

The Forest Department too has filed a case against Sooraj and Suresh under the Wildlife Protection Act for illegally possessing, selling and killing the reptile.

• [1] David AW. Guidelines for the Clinical Management of Snake Bites in the South East Asia Region. New Delhi: World Health Organisation, Regional Office for South East Asia, 2005:1– 67