Underwear case: Antony Raju's sentence suspended, disqualification to continue

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The court has stayed the sentence against former minister Antony Raju in the evidence tampering case. The Thiruvananthapuram Sessions Court temporarily stayed the sentence after accepting Antony Raju's appeal. However, the lower court's verdict that Antony Raju is guilty in the case will stand, the Sessions Court clarified. The disqualification for membership of the Legislative Assembly will also continue. Detailed arguments in the case will be heard on February 6.

Antony Raju was convicted by the Nedumangad Magistrate's Court in the evidence tampering case. The sentence was three years in prison and a fine of Rs. 10,000. Antony Raju approached the Thiruvananthapuram Sessions Court against this verdict.

The case against Kerala MLA and former Transport Minister Antony Raju is that in 1990, while working as a junior lawyer, he conspired with a court clerk to tamper with a crucial piece of evidence—an underwear containing hashish—to secure the acquittal of an Australian national, Andrew Salvatore Cervelli. Antony Raju is the first person in Kerala to lose his MLA position after being convicted in a criminal case. He is the second accused in the case. Even after completing his sentence, Antony Raju will not be able to contest elections for six years. The disqualification can only be lifted if the higher courts stay the finding of guilt. The court had allowed one month to file an appeal.