Archive · 3 Jan 2026
Kerala MLA Convicted in 36-Year-Old Evidence Tampering Case
A very important decision was made for a politician named Antony Raju in Kerala, India.
This case has been going on for a very long time, 36 years, and it's about something that happened in 1990.
Back then, a man from Australia was caught trying to smuggle something illegal hidden in his underwear.
Raju, who was a lawyer at the time, helped the Australian man.
Later, people thought the underwear used as evidence might have been changed or tampered with.
This led to a big legal fight.
The highest court in India, the Supreme Court, recently said the case should go forward, and now a decision was made.
Raju was found guilty of tampering with the evidence.
This case has been a big part of Raju's life and career, and the outcome could be very important for him.
A verdict was delivered on Saturday, January 3, 2026, in the 36-year-old case against Kerala MLA Antony Raju for alleged evidence tampering.
The case originated in 1990 when Raju, then a lawyer, represented an Australian national accused of smuggling contraband in his underwear.
The Kerala High Court initially acquitted the Australian, raising doubts about the evidence, leading to a probe into alleged tampering.
The Supreme Court revived the case in November 2024, directing the trial court to complete the proceedings within a year.
Raju was found guilty of criminal conspiracy, cheating, and causing the disappearance of evidence.
- Who
- Antony Raju, a Kerala MLA and former Transport Minister, is the defendant in the case.
- What
- The case involves allegations of tampering with evidence in a 1990 smuggling case.
- When
- The verdict was delivered on Saturday, January 3, 2026, following a 36-year legal battle.
- Where
- The trial took place in the Nedumangad Judicial First Class Magistrate court in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- Why
- The case was revived after the Supreme Court overturned a High Court decision that had quashed the proceedings against Raju.
- Defendant
- Antony Raju (Kerala MLA and former Transport Minister)
- Case Origin
- 1990 (Andrew Salvatore Cervelli's arrest)
- Charges
- Criminal conspiracy, cheating, dishonestly inducing delivery of property, and causing the disappearance of evidence
- Court Involved
- Nedumangad Judicial First Class Magistrate
- Supreme Court Decision
- Restored trial court proceedings in November 2024
- Trial Duration
- 36 years
- Key Evidence
- Underwear allegedly tampered with in Cervelli's case
Sources
After 36 years, verdict looms for Kerala MLA Antony Raju in infamous ‘underwear tampering' case
Kerala's Left Front Legislator Antony Raju Convicted In 36-Year-Old Underwear Evidence Tampering Case
Former Kerala transport minister Antony Raju found guilty of evidence tampering in 1990 drug case
Former Kerala minister Antony Raju found guilty in evidence tampering case
