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{{Short description|Snakebite murder case in Kerala}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox event
| title= Kerala snakebite murder case
| time=
| duration=
| venue= [[Kollam]], [[Kerala]]
| location= [[Anchal]], [[Kollam]], Kerala, India
| coordinates=
| also_known_as= Uthra murder case
| type= Murder case
| inquiries = [[Kerala Police]]
| outcome=
| reported deaths= 1
| arrests= 5 (as of 22 August 2020)
| suspects= Sooraj S. Kumar
| charges= Murder
}}

'''Kerala snakebite culpable homicide''' was a case in which the victim, Uthra, a twenty-five-year-old woman, was killed by a [[snakebite]] inflicted while she was asleep on 7 May 2020. She was in her parents' home in [[Anchal]], located in the [[South India]]n state of [[Kerala]].

Her husband, Sooraj S. Kumar, a twenty-seven-year-old bank employee,<ref name=india/><ref name= Mumbai>{{Cite web|url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/kerala-snake-bite-murder-case-two-more-arrested-police-interrogates-victims-mother-in-law/articleshow/76159248.cms|title=Kerala snake-bite murder case: Two more arrested, police interrogates victim's mother-in-law|website=Mumbai Mirror|access-date=26 September 2020|archive-date=19 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119053525/https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/kerala-snake-bite-murder-case-two-more-arrested-police-interrogates-victims-mother-in-law/articleshow/76159248.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> was arrested. Later, he confessed to the public media that he purchased a [[cobra]], and introduced the snake into their bedroom, with the intention of killing his wife.<ref name=new>{{cite news |title=Kerala snakebite murder: Accused Sooraj publicly confesses to killing wife Uthra |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/jul/14/kerala-snakebite-murder-accused-sooraj-publicly-confesses-to-killing-wife-uthra--2169587.html |publisher=newindianexpress.com/ |date=14 July 2020 |access-date=20 September 2020 |archive-date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119053448/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/jul/14/kerala-snakebite-murder-accused-sooraj-publicly-confesses-to-killing-wife-uthra--2169587.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sooraj confesses to killing Uthra |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/sooraj-confesses-to-killing-uthra/article32084091.ece |publisher=thehindu.com |date=14 Jul 2020 |access-date=20 September 2020 |archive-date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119053526/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/sooraj-confesses-to-killing-uthra/article32084091.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3152115/death-snakebite-new-murder-weapon-choice-india|title=Death by snakebite: new murder weapon of choice in India|date=13 October 2021 |publisher=South China Morning Post|access-date=13 October 2021|archive-date=13 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013081222/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3152115/death-snakebite-new-murder-weapon-choice-india|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Kerala Police]] produced strong scientific evidence that supported a charge of murder.<ref>{{cite news |title=Uthra murder case: Strong scientific evidence goes against 'greedy' Sooraj |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2021/oct/12/uthra-murder-case-strong-scientific-evidence-goes-against-greedy-sooraj-2370522.html |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=13 October 2021 |archive-date=12 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012041708/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2021/oct/12/uthra-murder-case-strong-scientific-evidence-goes-against-greedy-sooraj-2370522.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In Kollam sessions court, on 13 October 2021, Sooraj S. Kumar was found guilty of killing his wife by forcing a live cobra to bite her. Judge M. Manoj sentenced him to 17 years imprisonment plus double [[life imprisonment]] and a monetary penalty of 5 [[lakh]] ({{Lakh|5}}) [[Indian rupee|rupees]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Uthra murder case: Sooraj awarded double life sentence for killing wife using cobra |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2021/oct/13/uthra-murder-case-sooraj-awarded-double-life-sentence-for-killing-wife-using-cobra-2371170.html |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=13 October 2021 |archive-date=13 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013073641/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2021/oct/13/uthra-murder-case-sooraj-awarded-double-life-sentence-for-killing-wife-using-cobra-2371170.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Incident ==
Uthra was a disabled<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/kerala/top-news/2020/12/10/uthra-relatives-depose-in-snakebite-murder-case.html|title=Uthra's relatives depose in snakebite murder case|website=OnManorama|access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122061931/https://www.onmanorama.com/kerala/top-news/2020/12/10/uthra-relatives-depose-in-snakebite-murder-case.html|url-status=live}}</ref> young housewife who had been married for two years, and was the mother of a one-year-old son.<ref name="HT"/> At the time, Uthra was recovering from a previous [[Russell's viper]] bite, inflicted on 2 March 2020,<ref name= NIE/> two months prior at her husband's home near Adoor, and she was living in her parents' home during her recovery.<ref name="HT"/><ref name=Mumbai/> The viper bite caused her to be completely bed-ridden for around 52 days, and she had to undergo plastic surgery to repair the damage.<ref name = TNM/>

She was found unconscious in her bedroom in her parents' home when her mother called on her in the morning. It appeared that she had been bitten by a snake during the night of 6 May 2020. Uthra died the next day, 7 May 2020. A large [[Indian cobra]] was found in the bedroom that she shared with her husband.<ref name="HT"/><ref name=Mumbai/>

According to Uthra's mother, Manimegalai,<ref name =Mumbai/> her daughter and Sooraj went to bed after dinner. The next morning Sooraj, usually a late riser, woke up unusually early and went outside. However, Uthra didn't wake up at her usual time. Her mother went into her room and found Uthra unconscious. Later, the room was searched, and the cobra was discovered and killed.<ref name= NIE/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-58947068|title=When a cobra became a murder weapon in India|date=19 October 2021 |publisher=BBC News|access-date=20 October 2021|archive-date=20 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020061510/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-58947068|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Complaint and evidence ==
One week after his daughter's death, Uthra's father, Vijayasenan,<ref name=Mumbai/> contacted [[Kerala Police|police]], stating that he suspected foul play in his daughter's death.<ref name="HT">{{cite news |title=Two more arrested in Kerala's snake bite murder case |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/two-more-arrested-in-kerala-s-snake-bite-murder-case/story-K449vsquXy6ppH4y2FsL2O.html |publisher=hindustantimes.com |date=22 Aug 2020 |access-date=20 September 2020 |archive-date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119053509/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/two-more-arrested-in-kerala-s-snake-bite-murder-case/story-K449vsquXy6ppH4y2FsL2O.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He filed a complaint on 21 May to [[Kerala Police]], calling it an [[Manner of death|unnatural death]]. Her parents stated that, because Uthra and her husband were sleeping in an air-conditioned room, it would have been difficult for the cobra to enter the room without being detected.<ref name="HT"/>

Uthra had already informed her parents about Sooraj Kumar's expertise in handling venomous snakes.<ref name=NIE/> Approximately two months prior to her death from the cobra bite, Uthra had been bitten by a [[Russell's viper]].<ref name=NIE>{{cite news |title=Kerala woman's 'killer' snake exhumed for forensic probe |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2020/may/26/kerala-womans-killer-snake-exhumed-for-forensic-probe-2148279.html |publisher=newindianexpress.com |date=26 May 2020 |access-date=20 September 2020 |archive-date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119053510/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/2020/may/26/kerala-womans-killer-snake-exhumed-for-forensic-probe-2148279.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The combination of the two incidents caused police to suspect Sooraj Kumar's involvement in this case.<ref name=NIE/>

Noted snake expert [[Vava Suresh]] took interest in the incident. After visiting both homes, he recommended that Uthra's family contact the police. Later, Vava Suresh gave his expert testimony and statement to the police. In the first snakebite incident, he said that a Russell's viper would have been unable to reach the second [[storey]] room in her husband's home, where Uthra received the first snake bite. In regards to the second, fatal bite, Vava Suresh also noted that it would have been difficult for the cobra to enter the air-conditioned room in Uthra's parents' home unaided. He surmised that the cobra may have been "hurt", as a means of forcing it to bite the sleeping woman.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/crime-beat/uthra-might-have-been-forcefully-bitten-by-snake-says-vava-suresh-1.4794192|title=Uthra might have been forcefully bitten by snake, says Vava Suresh|website=Mathrubhumi|date=30 May 2020 |access-date=22 September 2020|archive-date=19 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119053449/https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/crime-beat/uthra-might-have-been-forcefully-bitten-by-snake-says-vava-suresh-1.4794192|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Discovery and arrests==
The police arrested the victim's husband, Sooraj, as the prime suspect and arrested the snake catcher Chavarukavu Suresh Kumar as a second suspect in the case. On 12 July 2020, Sooraj made a public confession about the murder.<ref name= NIE14072020>{{cite news |title=Kerala snakebite murder: Accused Sooraj publicly confessed to killing wife Uthra |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/jul/14/kerala-snakebite-murder-accused-sooraj-publicly-confesses-to-killing-wife-uthra--2169587.html |publisher=newindianexpress.com |date=14 July 2020 |access-date=20 September 2020 |archive-date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119053450/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/jul/14/kerala-snakebite-murder-accused-sooraj-publicly-confesses-to-killing-wife-uthra--2169587.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Confession during evidence collection at his Adoor home |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/sooraj-confesses-to-killing-uthra/article32084091.ece |publisher=thehindu.com |date=14 July 2020 |access-date=20 September 2020 |archive-date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119053451/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/sooraj-confesses-to-killing-uthra/article32084091.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> He stated that he bought two snakes for ₹10,000 each (US$135),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=10,000&From=INR&To=USD|title=10000 INR to USD | Convert Indian Rupees to US Dollars | XE|website=www.xe.com|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-date=19 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119053527/https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=10%2C000&From=INR&To=USD|url-status=live}}</ref> from Kumar.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kerala snakebite murder: Traces of cobra venom found in victim Uthra's body |url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/crime/kerala-snakebite-murder-traces-of-cobra-venom-found-in-victim-uthras-body-qdnjtn |publisher=asianetnews.com |date=18 Jul 2020 |access-date=20 September 2020 |archive-date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119053451/https://newsable.asianetnews.com/crime/kerala-snakebite-murder-traces-of-cobra-venom-found-in-victim-uthras-body-qdnjtn |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to the police, Sooraj admitted that he gave "sleep-inducing pills"<ref name="onm" /> to his wife in order to sedate her before releasing the snake.<ref>{{cite news |title=Victim was drugged: Police uncovers new evidence in Kerala's snakebite murder case |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2020/05/28/snakebite-murder-kollam-sooraj-suresh-uthra-kerala-police.html |publisher=onmanorama.com |date=28 May 2020 |access-date=20 September 2020 |archive-date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119053513/https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2020/05/28/snakebite-murder-kollam-sooraj-suresh-uthra-kerala-police.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He confessed that he had starved the cobra for eleven days to ensure that the cobra would bite his wife. The snake "was kept in a bottle without being fed" from 24 April to 6 May.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/snakebite-murder-cobra-starved-for-11-days-before-killing-uthra-confesses-suraj-1.4802905|title=Snakebite murder: Cobra starved for 11 days before killing Uthra, confesses Suraj|website=Mathrubhumi|date=3 June 2020 |access-date=26 September 2020|archive-date=19 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119053515/https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/snakebite-murder-cobra-starved-for-11-days-before-killing-uthra-confesses-suraj-1.4802905|url-status=live}}</ref>

The investigating team reported that Uthra was attacked twice, first with a viper and then with a cobra.<ref name = TNM>{{cite news |title='A brutal, rare murder using two snakes', says chargesheet in Uthra's death |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/brutal-rare-murder-using-two-snakes-says-chargesheet-uthra-s-death-130809 |publisher=thenewsminute.com |date=7 May 2020 |access-date=20 September 2020 |archive-date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119053517/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/brutal-rare-murder-using-two-snakes-says-chargesheet-uthra-s-death-130809 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Kerala police's special investigation team (SIT) stated that Sooraj would be the primary person accused and that another case would be registered against him, his mother, father and sister for domestic violence and destroying evidence.<ref name="HT" /> The State Women's Commission also urged the police to arrest the family members.<ref name= "HTJune">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kerala-snake-bite-murder-three-more-arrested-hidden-gold-ornaments-dug-out/story-STR75oMUJfRKuR6JNPu50I.html|title=Kerala snake-bite murder: Three more arrested, hidden gold ornaments dug out|date=June 2, 2020|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=26 September 2020|archive-date=19 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119053550/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kerala-snake-bite-murder-three-more-arrested-hidden-gold-ornaments-dug-out/story-STR75oMUJfRKuR6JNPu50I.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Crime Branch [[Deputy superintendent of police|Deputy Superintendent of Police]], A Ashokan, the officer who had led the investigation stated that prior to her death, "she wasn’t able to walk, was in a bed-ridden situation for 52 days and had to undergo a plastic surgery after getting bitten by the viper. Making her get bitten again with a more venomous snake while she had still not recovered from the earlier attempt amounts to brutal murder only”.<ref name= NIE14072020/>

Sooraj was booked under various sections of the [[Indian Penal Code]] for murder, attempted murder, attempted permanent injury and destruction of evidence.<ref name = TNM/>

During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that gold from Uthra's bank locker had been removed on 2 March, the date of her first snakebite.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/crime-beat/uthra-murder-suraj-s-mother-sister-taken-in-police-custody-1.4800722|title=Uthra murder: Suraj's mother, sister taken in police custody|website=Mathrubhumi|date=2 June 2020 |access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127142131/https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/crime-beat/uthra-murder-suraj-s-mother-sister-taken-in-police-custody-1.4800722|url-status=live}}</ref> In early June 2020, Uthra's father-in-law, Surendran Panicker (59) was arrested, on charges of destroying evidence and hiding 38 sovereign of gold jewellery, which police discovered buried in a nearby rubber plantation.<ref name="Mumbai" /> Uthra's parents stated that the majority of her dowry was still missing.<ref name = "HTJune"/>

In August 2020, both Renuka and Surya, mother and sister of Sooraj, were arrested on charges of conspiracy, domestic violence and destruction of evidence.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/uthara-murder-case-mother-sister-of-victims-husband-arrested/article32420996.ece|title=Uthara murder case | Mother, sister of victim's husband arrested|author=Staff Reporter|newspaper=The Hindu |date=August 23, 2020|via=www.thehindu.com|access-date=26 September 2020|archive-date=19 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119053610/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/uthara-murder-case-mother-sister-of-victims-husband-arrested/article32420996.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> The charges include "sections 498A (Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty), 406 (Punishment for criminal breach of trust), 201 (Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention)".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kerala-snakebite-murder-case-uthras-husband-s-mother-and-sister-also-arrested-131396|title=Kerala snakebite murder case: Uthra's husband's mother and sister also arrested|date=August 23, 2020|website=The News Minute|access-date=26 September 2020|archive-date=19 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119053611/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kerala-snakebite-murder-case-uthras-husband-s-mother-and-sister-also-arrested-131396|url-status=live}}</ref>

Although Chavarukavu Suresh Kumar was originally one of the accused, he became a witness in the case.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/crime-beat/uthra-murder-case-suraj-claims-innocence-before-court-1.5177061|title=Uthra murder case: Suraj claims innocence before court|website=Mathrubhumi|date=2 November 2020 |access-date=19 November 2020|archive-date=2 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102094545/https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/crime-beat/uthra-murder-case-suraj-claims-innocence-before-court-1.5177061|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Forensic evidence==
On 26 May 2020, Kerala Police sent the carcass of the cobra for [[Forensic science|forensic]] examination.<ref name= NIE/> The cobra was 80 cm long, and capable of inflicting a fatal bite to a human.<ref name="HT"/> The then Kerala DGP [[Loknath Behra]] said that in this peculiar case, the investigation would be carried out in a scientific manner by conducting a [[Genetic testing|DNA test]] on the dead snake.<ref name=india>{{cite news |title=Kerala snake bite murder: Investigation team to extract DNA of animal as evidence |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kerala-snake-bite-murder-investigation-team-to-extract-dna-of-animal-as-evidence-1682274-2020-05-27 |publisher=indiatoday.in |date=27 May 2020 |access-date=20 September 2020 |archive-date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119053555/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kerala-snake-bite-murder-investigation-team-to-extract-dna-of-animal-as-evidence-1682274-2020-05-27 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Motive==
Sooraj S. Kumar, a private bank employee, is said to have planned the murder by watching snake handling videos on the internet and receiving training to handle venomous snakes.<ref name=india/> His motive was to take ownership of his wife's dowry in gold,<ref>{{cite news |title=Kerala Man Watched As Cobra Bit Sleeping Wife In Grisly Murder Plan: Cops |url=https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/kollam-kerala-news-husband-arrested-for-killing-wife-with-snakebite-2234818 |publisher=ndtv.com |date=26 May 2020 |access-date=20 September 2020 |archive-date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119053555/https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/kollam-kerala-news-husband-arrested-for-killing-wife-with-snakebite-2234818 |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as her life insurance policy.<ref name= NIE14072020/> Police received information that Sooraj had obtained a life insurance policy on his wife a few months prior to her death.<ref name=new/>

Uthra's father said that "he had gifted over 100 sovereigns of gold and a new car" to Sooraj and his family,<ref name="HT"/> in addition to [[Indian rupee sign|₹]]10 lakhs in cash.<ref name = "HTJune"/>

==Court case==
The case became a major reference point in the criminology syllabus, since Sooraj employed a natural weapon to commit the murder.<ref name="onm">{{cite news |last1=Krishnaraj |first1=R |title=Uthra murder case opens a new chapter — Homicidal Snakebite — in Criminology |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2021/10/11/uthra-murder-case-opens-new-chapter-criminology-harishankar-inte.html |access-date=13 October 2021 |work=OnManorama |date=11 Oct 2021 |archive-date=11 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011111048/https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2021/10/11/uthra-murder-case-opens-new-chapter-criminology-harishankar-inte.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Lack of a history of such a crime made it difficult for the investigation team to determine that murder was committed. In December 2020, the snake catcher, Chavarukavu Suresh Kumar, testified to the court that Sooraj contacted him and purchased a snake. Suresh learned of Uthra's death from the [[newspaper]]s. Sooraj told Suresh that he no longer wished to be wed to a disabled wife and that people would attribute his wife's death to "[[Kukke Subramanya Temple#Sarpa Samskara / Sarpa Dosha|sarpa dosha]]", the wrath of snakes (a popular belief). Suresh said he was distressed by Uthra's death. According to his testimony, snakes he captured were usually released into the forest with assistance from Indian Forest officials.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/kerala/top-news/2020/12/03/uthra-snakebite-murder-case-snake-catcher-statement-against-sooraj.html|title=Uthra murder case: Snake-catcher points fingers at Sooraj|website=OnManorama|access-date=22 January 2021|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122054003/https://www.onmanorama.com/kerala/top-news/2020/12/03/uthra-snakebite-murder-case-snake-catcher-statement-against-sooraj.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Sessions Court judgement===
In court, Sooraj was found guilty of using a live cobra to kill his wife Uthra.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=2021-10-13|title=Uthara murder case: Man who killed his wife with cobra gets double life sentence, 17 years prison|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/uthara-murder-case-man-who-killed-his-wife-with-cobra-gets-double-life-sentence-17-years-prison/article36979583.ece|access-date=2021-10-15|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=14 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014075632/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/uthara-murder-case-man-who-killed-his-wife-with-cobra-gets-double-life-sentence-17-years-prison/article36979583.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> On 13 October 2021, [[Kollam district|Kollam]] Additional District and [[Sessions Court]], led by additional sessions [[judge]] Manoj M, sentenced Sooraj to 17 years' imprisonment plus two consecutive [[life imprisonment|life]] sentences, and an additional penalty of five lakh [[Indian rupee sign|rupees]]. This is considered to be the first case in the state of [[Kerala]] in which a murder involved the use of a live animal as the weapon.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Varghese |first1=Hannah M. |title=Uthra Murder : Husband Who Murdered Wife By Inducing Snake Bite Sentenced To Life By Kerala Court |url=https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/uthra-murder-husband-who-murdered-wife-by-inducing-snake-bite-sentenced-to-life-by-kerala-court-183675?infinitescroll=1 |work=www.livelaw.in |date=13 October 2021 |language=en |access-date=13 October 2021 |archive-date=29 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029225355/https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/uthra-murder-husband-who-murdered-wife-by-inducing-snake-bite-sentenced-to-life-by-kerala-court-183675?infinitescroll=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== In popular culture ==
A Malayalam film titled '''Rajakumari''', inspired by the Uthra murder case, was announced in November 2025. The title poster was released by actress [[Manju Warrier]].<ref>{{cite web |title=കേരളത്തെ നടുക്കിയ ഉത്ര വധം സിനിമയാകുന്നു; 'രാജകുമാരി'യുടെ ടൈറ്റില്‍ പോസ്റ്റര്‍ പുറത്ത്|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/uthra-murder-case-movie-rajakumari-manju-warrier-poster-athmiya-rajan-unnikrishnan-sub782id |website=Mathrubhumi |access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref>

The film is produced by Nalla Cinema Productions and marks the directorial debut of Unnidas Koodathil.<ref>{{cite web |title=Manju Warrier unveils poster of 'Rajakumari' |url=https://www.newkerala.com/news/o/manju-warrier-unveils-title-poster-rajakumari-women-centric-thriller-929 |website=NewKerala |access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref> The lead actress of the film is [[Athmiya Rajan]], who portrays Janaki, a character based on Uthra.<ref>{{cite web |title=കേരള മനസാക്ഷിയെ ഞെട്ടിച്ച ഉത്ര വധം സിനിമയാകുന്നു; നായികയായി ആത്മീയ|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2025/11/17/uthra-murder-case-based-movie-rajakumari-first-look.html |website=Manorama Online|access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref>

The supporting cast includes Fahad Siddiq, [[Sreejith Ravi]], [[Senthil Krishna]], Veena Nair, Rithu Manthra, Kudassanad Kanakam, and Rajesh Kannur. Music is composed by Denson Dominic with lyrics by [[Vinayak Sasikumar]].<ref>{{cite web |title=ഉത്ര വധം സിനിമയാകുന്നു; 'രാജകുമാരി' ടൈറ്റിൽ പോസ്റ്റർ പ്രകാശനം ചെയ്ത് മഞ്ജു വാര്യർ|url=https://www.madhyamam.com/entertainment/movie-news/uthra-murder-is-becoming-a-movie-1468297 |website=Madhyamam |access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Dowry death]]
*[[Dowry system in India]]
*[[Rattlesnake James]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:2020 murders in India]]
[[Category:Crime in Kerala]]
[[Category:Deaths due to snake bites]]
[[Category:People murdered in Kerala]]
[[Category:Scandals in India]]
[[Category:Uxoricides in India]]

Kerala snakebite murder - Revision history

FranciscaFortney at 14:22, 20 April 2026