Wed Jan 22 13:13:54 UTC 2025: ## Kerala High Court Adjourns Hearing in MLA’s Evidence Tampering Case

**Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala –** The Kerala High Court adjourned until January 23rd a hearing on a petition demanding a special public prosecutor for the trial of MLA and former Transport Minister Antony Raju. Raju is accused of tampering with evidence in a 1990 drug smuggling case.

The petition, filed by journalist Anil K Emmanuel, alleges that Raju, while acting as a lawyer for an Australian national accused in the drug case, helped the accused tamper with evidence to avoid conviction. Although the Australian national was initially convicted, he was later acquitted by the High Court. The police subsequently charged Raju with conspiring with a court clerk, Solaman Joseph, to secure the acquittal. The allegation is that Raju obtained the incriminating undergarment, altered it, and returned it to the court.

The petitioner argues that the current assistant public prosecutor is insufficient for this high-profile case, citing potential pressure from political parties. The petitioner highlighted previous statements by the High Court and Supreme Court expressing concern that Raju’s actions eroded public trust in the judicial system.

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