THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Surendra Panicker, father of Sooraj, prime accused in Uthra murder case, told crime branch that he knew about his son’s connection with snakes. He revealed this when the investigating team questioned him in the case. He was summoned to the crime branch office in Kottarakkara and questioned. He confessed that his son had connections with snake catchers and that he tried to know more about snakes.

He also said that he was financially supported by Uthra’s family. As Sooraj’s mother and sister knew his plan to kill his wife they will be summoned for interrogation. The investigating team collected detailed statements from Uthra’s family and her neighbours yesterday. The authorities have obtained proofs for Surya, sister of Sooraj, helping her brother to go underground when Uthra’s parents suspected mystery in her death.

The investigating tame is hoping to get more evidence once Sooraj's mother Renuka and sister Surya are interrogated.

Uthra (25) was killed by her husband Sooraj, a native of Adoor, using a cobra on May 6. Though her parents did not suspect anything in the beginning they lodged a complaint later. Sooraj who knew that he would be caught during the probe contacted an advocate via phone. He used his sister’s phone for it. Sooraj was taken into custody on May 23. He was arrested following the details revealed by Suresh, the snake catcher from Kalluvathukkal, who gave him the snake. The team had the other day questioned Surya’s friend who made arrangements for Sooraj to hide.

Before the arrest of Sooraj, his father filed a caveat plea that his properties should not be attached without his permission. This was to avoid the attachment of property in lieu of selling and pledging Uthra's gold.

The case is being investigated by a team led by district crime branch DySP A Ashokan.