Kerala MLA Antony Raju Sentenced in 1990 Evidence Tampering Case: Court Finds Him Guilty After 35 Years

COURTKUTCHEHRY SPECIAL ON KERALA’s SENSASTIONAL “UNDRWEAR EVIDENCE TAMPERING” CASE VERDICT

“Kerala MLA Antony Raju Sentenced in 1990 Evidence Tampering Case: Court Finds Him Guilty After 35 Years”

“Judicial Magistrate Court convicts former Transport Minister for fabricating underwear evidence in drug case”

“Verdict raises questions on political accountability and integrity in Kerala’s ruling coalition”

By Our Legal Correspondent

New Delhi: January 03, 2026:

In a dramatic turn of events, the Judicial First-Class Magistrate Court, Nedumangad, has convicted Kerala MLA Antony Raju, a senior leader of the Janathipathya Kerala Congress and former Transport Minister, in a case dating back to 1990. The court sentenced him to three years of imprisonment for tampering with material evidence—specifically, an underwear seized from an Australian national accused of smuggling narcotics.

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Kerala MLA and former Transport Minister Antony Raju have been found guilty in the infamous 1990 “underwear evidence tampering case” involving an Australian national caught with narcotics at Thiruvananthapuram airport. A local court sentenced him to three years in jail, holding him guilty of conspiracy and evidence fabrication. The verdict, delivered more than three decades after the incident, has major political and legal implications in Kerala.

The case, popularly known as the “underwear evidence tampering case,” has haunted Kerala’s political and legal circles for decades. The verdict, delivered on January 3, 2026, is seen as a watershed moment in the state’s fight against corruption and misuse of legal processes.

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Case Background

• In April 1990, Australian national Andrew Salvatore Cervelli was arrested at Thiruvananthapuram airport with 61.5 grams of narcotics hidden in his underwear.
• The underwear was seized and kept in court custody as material evidence.
• Antony Raju, then a junior lawyer, represented Cervelli.
• He was accused of tampering with the underwear evidence to weaken the prosecution’s case.
• Along with a court clerk, Raju allegedly conspired to alter the evidence before it was returned to the accused.

Court’s Observations

1. Criminal conspiracy proven: The court found Raju guilty under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 193 (fabricating false evidence), 409 (criminal breach of trust), and 34 IPC (common intention).
2. Delayed justice: The verdict came 35 years after the incident and 19 years after the chargesheet was filed.
3. Political accountability: The court noted that tampering with evidence undermines the justice system and erodes public trust.

Timeline of the Case

Political Implications

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• Impact on LDF government: Raju is a legislator from the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF). His conviction is a major embarrassment for the coalition.
• Public trust: The case raises questions about how individuals with criminal charges continue to hold public office.
• Opposition reaction: Opposition parties are expected to demand his resignation and stricter scrutiny of politicians facing criminal cases.

Wider Legal Context

• Evidence tampering: Courts have consistently held that tampering with evidence is a grave offence, striking at the heart of justice.
• Delayed trials: The case highlights India’s chronic problem of delayed justice, with verdicts often delivered decades after the crime.
• Supreme Court intervention: The apex court’s revival of the case in 2022 ensured accountability despite the long delay.

Expert Views

• Legal experts: Say the conviction reinforces the principle that no one is above the law, regardless of political status.
• Political analysts: Note that the ruling could trigger debates on criminalization of politics in Kerala.
• Civil society groups: Welcome the verdict as a step toward restoring faith in the judiciary.

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Conclusion

The conviction of Antony Raju in the 1990 underwear evidence tampering case is a stark reminder of the importance of integrity in public life. While justice has been delayed, it has not been denied. The ruling sends a strong message that tampering with evidence and undermining the judicial process will not be tolerated, even if the accused is a powerful politician.

For Kerala, the verdict is both a moment of reckoning and an opportunity to strengthen accountability in politics. For India, it underscores the need to speed up trials and ensure timely justice in cases involving public figures.

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