Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 3 (NationPress) In a significant legal and political blow, Antony Raju, a former Minister in Kerala and a legislator of the ruling Left Front, has been sentenced to three years' imprisonment by the Nedumangad Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in connection with the 'thondimuthal' (material evidence) tampering case.

Raju currently serves as an MLA for the Janadhipathya Kerala Congress, part of the LDF coalition.

Earlier today, he was found guilty, and the sentence was pronounced later in the evening.

The court has provided bail to the two accused, allowing them a month to appeal to higher courts if they choose to do so.

Given that his sentence exceeds two years, Antony Raju is now disqualified from the Kerala Assembly and will be ineligible to contest in future elections, following established Supreme Court precedents.

Even if a higher court suspends his sentence, the disqualification will remain unless his conviction is overturned.

The court convicted Raju for criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence, and fabrication of false evidence.

His sentence includes six months for conspiracy, three years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 for evidence destruction, and three years for creating false evidence.

Additionally, he received a two-year sentence related to a forgery charge tied to the case.

The prosecution's request to transfer the case to the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court was denied by the Magistrate.

This case stems from allegations that crucial evidence, specifically a piece of underwear presented as 'thondimuthal' (evidence), was tampered with to facilitate the acquittal of a foreign national implicated in a narcotics case.

Antony Raju was the second accused in this matter.

The first accused, Jose, an employee of the court, also faced conviction and received a three-year sentence.

A large crowd gathered outside the court to witness the verdict, and angry supporters of the Congress-led UDF were seen vocally confronting the MLA as he exited, prompting police intervention to assist him to his vehicle.

The origins of this case date back to 1990, when Andrew Salvatore Cervelli, an Australian national, was detained at Thiruvananthapuram airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle 61.5 grams of drugs hidden in his underwear.

At that time, Raju was a novice lawyer beginning his political journey and represented Cervelli.

The trial court convicted Cervelli, sentencing him to ten years.

However, in a surprising twist, the Kerala High Court later acquitted Cervelli upon appeal, determining that the underwear presented as evidence was too small for him, casting significant doubt on the prosecution's case.

Cervelli has since returned to Australia.

Years later, following information from the Australian National Central Bureau, the investigating officer sought a probe into the alleged tampering of critical evidence.