Thiruvananthapuram: Former Kerala Minister Antony Raju has faced another legal setback after the Thiruvananthapuram District and Sessions Court rejected his plea to overturn his conviction in an evidence tampering case.

Raju had approached the court following the verdict of the Nedumangad Judicial First Class Magistrate-I, which sentenced him to three years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹10,000. The case pertains to the disappearance and fabrication of evidence that led to the acquittal of an Australian national arrested at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in 1990 with ganja. The earlier verdict had also led to Raju’s disqualification as an MLA.

Appeal temporarily stayed, disqualification upheld

On 2 February, the District and Sessions Court had temporarily stayed the execution of Raju’s sentence while hearing his appeal. The court clarified that his disqualification and the finding of guilt would remain in force until the appeal was fully resolved.

Court upholds sentence, elections barred

In its latest order, the Sessions Court dismissed Raju’s request to overturn the magistrate court’s verdict. This effectively upholds the three-year jail term and ₹10,000 fine. Consequently, Raju will be barred from contesting both the upcoming and next elections.

Raju had contended that the trial court had not fully considered his defence and had overlooked the involvement of three other individuals who were initially accused during the preliminary inquiry.