The incident took place in the state of Kerala and the accused named Suraj was arrested by the police on the basis that phone records proved that he was in touch with spies while watching videos of snakes on the internet.
Police official Ashok Kumar told AFP that in March, the 27-year-old suspect had acquired a poisonous Russell Viper that had bitten his wife Athra and she had been in hospital for two months.
The woman was discharged from the hospital earlier this month and returned to her parents’ home, after which Suraj grabbed a cobra from a shepherd and threw it into his wife’s room while she was asleep.
According to a statement issued by the police, “Suraj stayed in the room with his wife as if nothing had happened. The next morning, after waking up, he was busy with his daily routine. He was rushed to a hospital where doctors confirmed his death.
At first, no one was suspicious, but Athra’s parents became suspicious when Suraj tried to take possession of his property just days after his wife’s death.
Athra belonged to a rich family while Suraj was working in a private bank on a low salary.
The couple also has a one-year-old child.
Police added that a large dowry was also given at the wedding, which included about 100 gold coins, a new car and 500,000 Indian rupees.
According to police, “Suraj was afraid that if he divorced Athra, he would have to return the dowry, which is why he decided to kill his wife.”
Police have also arrested the person who provided the snake