Uthra murder case convict’s mother moves Kerala HC against movie release

Kochi: Renuka S of Parakode in Adoor, Pathanamthitta, mother of convict Suraj S Kumar in the sensational Uthra murder case, has approached high court challenging the certification and release of the Malayalam movie ‘RajaKumari’, which is reportedly inspired by the incident in which Uthra was allegedly killed through a venomous snakebite.Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas on Tuesday adjourned the petition to June 23 for the filing of the petitioner’s reply affidavit. Renuka alleged in her petition that an appeal challenging her son’s conviction in the murder case is pending before HC. Similarly, she herself is also an accused in another case connected to allegations of domestic violence against Uthra during the period when the latter lived with them. Renuka further claimed that the film’s imagery, narrative and promotional material unmistakably mirror the prosecution allegations and risk gravely prejudicing the fair trial rights of her family, influencing witnesses, and interfering with the administration of justice.Uthra, 25, died of a snakebite at her house in Anchal, Kollam, on May 7, 2020. It was alleged that Sooraj had deliberately procured snakes — first a viper and later a cobra — to kill Uthra. A police investigation uncovered the calculated and brutal nature of the crime and led to Sooraj’s arrest, conviction and sentencing to double life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 5 lakh.