Kerala MLA Antony Raju Disqualified Following Conviction in Evidence-Tampering Case
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 5, 2026: Former Kerala Transport Minister and MLA Antony Raju has been disqualified as a member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly after being convicted in a decades-old evidence-tampering case linked to a 1990 drug seizure, according to an official notification from the Secretariat of the Kerala Legislature. Hindustan Times+1
Disqualification and Official Notification
The Secretariat issued a notification on Monday, declaring Raju’s disqualification under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, after he was sentenced to three years’ simple imprisonment by the Nedumangad Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-I on January 3, 2026. As a result, his 134-Thiruvananthapuram Assembly seat has become vacant with immediate effect. Hindustan Times+1
The notification states that Raju’s conviction automatically triggers disqualification, leaving him unable to continue as an MLA or contest elections under the law. Officials also clarified that Raju’s earlier attempt to submit his resignation from the Assembly has no legal validity, as disqualification takes effect immediately upon conviction. The New Indian Express
Background of the Case
The case dates back to 1990, when an Australian national was arrested at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport for allegedly carrying 61.5 grams of hashish concealed in his underwear. Raju, then a junior lawyer, acted as defence counsel in the matter. Subsequent proceedings raised concerns that evidence had been tampered with — particularly that the underwear produced in court was altered, a finding later supported by forensic analysis during the recent trial. NewsDrum
Raju and a former court clerk, K S Jose, were accused of criminal conspiracy and tampering with evidence after the Kerala High Court ordered a vigilance inquiry following discrepancies in the evidence. The legal battle spanned over three decades, with the Supreme Court restoring the trial in 2024 and directing that proceedings be completed within a set timeframe. NewsDrum
Sentence and Legal Consequences
In the current verdict, Raju received a sentence of three years’ imprisonment, which automatically disqualifies him from his legislative post under Indian electoral law (Representation of the People Act). He has been granted bail to challenge the conviction in a higher court, but the disqualification stands unless overturned. The Week
The 134-Thiruvananthapuram Assembly seat is now officially vacant, and a by-election will likely be required to fill it ahead of the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections. NewsDrum
Political and Public Reactions
Antony Raju, a leader of the Janadhipathya Kerala Congress — an ally of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) — has maintained that the case was politically motivated, asserting his innocence throughout the proceedings. Despite his claims, the conviction and subsequent disqualification have generated significant political discussion. The Week
The development is also drawing attention as a rare instance of a sitting MLA being removed due to a historical conviction, underscoring continued legal scrutiny of alleged misconduct in public office. Hindustan Times