Kochi, March 18: Former MLA Antony Raju has received a significant setback ahead of the assembly elections. The Kerala High Court rejected his plea to suspend his sentence on Tuesday. Raju, who previously served as the MLA from Thiruvananthapuram Central, sought the court’s intervention in a case where he is accused of tampering with evidence. This ruling complicates his situation further as the elections approach.
The court’s decision effectively bars the former minister from contesting in the elections, stirring political unrest in the state capital.
Raju’s legislative career ended after he was sentenced to three years in prison by the Nedumangad Magistrate Court on January 4. The High Court’s refusal to stay this order has dealt him another blow.
Raju is the sole MLA from the Janadhipathy Kerala Congress and served as the state’s transport minister until December 2024. He resigned from this position under an agreement with the ruling Left Democratic Front to accommodate another coalition partner.
The bench led by Justice Nirmaljeet Kaur dismissed Raju’s petition, meaning his disqualification under the Representation of the People Act remains in effect. Without a stay on his sentence, Raju cannot file his nomination, effectively closing the last legal avenue for his participation in the elections.
However, the deadline for filing nominations is March 23, giving him a few more days. He can still approach the Kerala High Court’s division bench or the Supreme Court for a stay.
This case, often referred to as the controversial “underwear case,” dates back to 1990. At that time, Antony Raju, a junior lawyer, was accused of tampering with physical evidence in a drug-related case. Subsequent scientific investigations confirmed that the evidence was manipulated after being presented in court.
After years of legal proceedings at various levels, the conviction from the lower court has now become a significant political hurdle for him.
Notably, this is the second time this case has derailed his electoral prospects. A few years ago, he was denied a ticket after strong objections from veteran leftist leader V. S. Achuthanandan, who raised moral concerns.
The court’s ruling has now reinforced those objections, placing the Left Democratic Front in a challenging position. Raju was a potential candidate for the Thiruvananthapuram Central constituency.
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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