Kozhikode: Co-accused in Koodathayi serial killings, M S Mathew, reportedly told the police that he had given two bottles of alcohol and Rs 5,000 to another accused Prajikumar for procuring the cyanide.
Mathew also told the probe team that though he had twice asked for cyanide, Prajikumar only gave once. Prajikumar also had given statement to the police that Mathew had bought cyanide from him by claiming that he wanted to use it to kill rats.
However, prime accused Jolly Joseph had told the police that Mathew gave her cyanide twice. The contradictions in their statements had put the cops in a fix. The cops took sought more clarity and the accused admitted that they had got cyanide from a person other than Prajikumar.
The 47-year-old woman was arrested earlier this month over the murder of her first husband Roy Thomas at Koodathayi in Kerala's Kozhikode district. She then allegedly confessed to killing the other five members of the family one after the other by giving them cyanide-laced food or drink over a period of 14 years.
Roy’s brother arrives in Kerala
Meanwhile, Roy's brother Rojo, who is in the US, has returned to Kerala, as per the probe team's instructions. Rojo reached the Cochin International Airport on Monday morning and went to his sister Renji's house at Vaikom. The probe team would take his statements at the rural SP's office at Vatakara on Tuesday. Rojo had filed a complaint about the mysterious deaths in his family to the police, and the ensuing investigation had revealed the shocking details as to how six of the family were eliminated one by one.
The cops would also question Jolly's current husband Shaju Sakharias again on Monday. The cops would jointly question Shaju and Jolly. The probe team had earlier questioned Shaju over the deaths of his wife Sily and daughter Alphine. Jolly had married Shaju after their deaths.
Jolly tried to pin first two murders on Roy?
The cops suspect that prime accused in the Koodathayi serial killings, Jolly Joseph, had received clear instructions on how to face a police interrogation.
The police noticed that Jolly was dodging their questions very skilfully. However, when the cops put forth evidence to nail her lies, Jolly confessed to the heinous murders in an indifferent manner.
During the initial phase of interrogation, Jolly claimed that her first husband Roy could have killed both his parents Tom Thomas and Annamma Thomas.
However, the police pointed out the statements of those who were present at the house during the time of Annamma's death in 2002, putting Jolly on the defensive.
Even during Tom Thomas' death in 2008, only Jolly was present in the house, a servant had given statement. A neighbour too had stated to the police that Jolly had informed them about Tom's death. When the police put forth the evidence, Jolly confessed that she had committed Tom's murder.
Even in the case of Roy's death in 2011, Jolly initially took the stand that he had committed suicide. But the police pointed out co-accused M S Mathew and Prajikumar's statements that they had supplied cyanide. Then Jolly claimed that Mathew harboured enmity towards Roy and he could have given him the cyanide. However, the police said that on the days leading up to the murder and even on the day Roy died, Mathew was out of station. They also pointed out the post-mortem report that found traces of cyanide in Roy's body.
Jolly then confessed to having killed her husband.
The police suspect that two advocates, who were acquainted with Jolly, could have given her expert advice or training on how to face police interrogation.
Even on the day prior to her arrest, Jolly had reportedly gone to meet an advocate at Kunnamangalam. The cops have also found that Jolly knew another advocate for long.
Police raid League leader's house, shop
The police carried out raids at the house and shop of a local Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader, who was linked to Jolly.
The house of Muslim League Omassery panchayat vice-president and unit president V K Imbichymoy and his son's shop were raided on Sunday. In the raid, Jolly's ration card was found from the shop at Koodathayi market.
Jolly’s brother-in-law questioned
The husband of Jolly's sister was also questioned by the police.
A team led by CI Vinesh questioned Johnny, a native of Rajakumari in Idukki district, at his house on Sunday. The police questioned Johnny and his family members from 11am to 2pm. The probe team was joined by the Rajakkad police. Johnny reportedly told the police that he was not linked to the crime and had a sisterly relation with Jolly.
Johnny said that he would fully cooperate with the probe.
The police questioned him after receiving information that Johnny had helped Jolly to forge a fake will to take over the property of Roy’s family.
