State vs Antony Raju — Evidence tampering case

Updates

1. News10 Jan 2026

   If the underwear doesn’t fit: How a drug case against an Australian man ended with a Kerala MLA’s disqualification

   Kerala Assembly disqualifies legislator Antony Raju after a three-year jail sentence for tampering evidence in a 1990 drug case involving an...

   Explanation in simple terms

   What:

   Kerala assembly members removed Antony Raju from his legislative position following a criminal conviction.

   Who:

   Antony Raju is the legislator, and the Kerala Assembly is the legislative body that disqualified him.

   When:

   Reported on 10 Jan 2026.

   Where:

   Kerala.

   Why:

   The court sentenced him to jail for three years because he tampered with evidence in a drug case.

   What it means:

   Antony Raju is no longer a member of the legislative assembly.

   The Indian Express
2. Judgment4 Jan 2026

   Pre-election jolt to LDF as MLA Antony Raju convicted in Kerala

   The case dates back to 1990 when Raju was a junior lawyer appearing in a drug case involving an Australian national, Andrew Salvatore.

   Explanation in simple terms

   What:

   A court convicted a current lawmaker of tampering with evidence in an old drug case.

   Who:

   Antony Raju is the convicted lawmaker, and Andrew Salvatore is the Australian national from the original case.

   When:

   The original case started in 1990, and the judgment was reported on 4 Jan 2026.

   Where:

   The case is in Kerala.

   Why:

   The court convicted the lawmaker for tampering with evidence related to a drug case where he was a junior lawyer.

   What it means:

   This conviction serves as a significant setback for the political alliance known as the LDF before an upcoming election.

   The New Indian Express