The Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) probe into the massacre of a six-member family in Aluva in 2001 has confirmed the initial police finding that the sole suspect in the case is Anto alias Antony, a relative of the family.

Reports say that even after questioning 140 witnesses, including relatives and neighbours of the family, the apex Indian investigating agency could not find proof to implicate anybody else in the case.

Antony, who had gone abroad immediately after the news of the massacre broke, was brought back by the police for questioning.

He had demonstrated how he had single-handedly committed the crime, but it was unbelievable that he could have committed the murder of the six people alone, without any noise or without arousing suspicion even among the closest neighbours of the family.

On January 6, 2001 businessman Manjooran Augustin, his wife Baby, his mother Clara, children Divya and Josemon and sister Kochurani were murdered.

The CBI took up the case after the High Court wanted the agency's service while considering a petition submitted by Baby's father, M.P. Joseph, and brother Rajan.

Top CBI officials who studied the case diaries of the local police and the Crime Branch had raised several doubts, but now the agency has reportedly upheld the initial police conclusions.