In a significant development in Kerala politics, Antony Raju, former Transport Minister and MLA from the 134-Thiruvananthapuram Assembly Constituency, has been officially disqualified from the Kerala Legislative Assembly following his conviction in a decades-old drug-related case. The official notification was published on Monday in the Kerala Gazette by the Secretariat of the Kerala Legislature, confirming that Raju had become ineligible under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, as well as relevant Supreme Court rulings.

Raju, a senior leader of the Janadhipathya Kerala Congress Party, was sentenced to a three-year term of simple imprisonment by the Nedumangadu Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-I in Calendar Case No. 811/2024. The notification stated, “Shri. Antony Raju, an elected Member of Fifteenth Kerala Legislative Assembly from ‘134-Thiruvananthapuram’ Assembly Constituency is sentenced to undergo simple imprisonment for three years… Consequently, as per the provisions of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951 and the relevant Supreme Court decisions, Shri. Antony Raju has become disqualified to be a Member of the Legislative Assembly.”

As a result of this conviction, the 134-Thiruvananthapuram assembly seat has officially fallen vacant from January 3, 2026. The notification concluded, “Therefore, the ‘134-Thiruvananthapuram’ seat in the Kerala Legislative Assembly has become vacant with effect from 3rd January 2026,” signaling the need for a by-election to fill the seat.

Background of the Case

The case dates back to 1990, when Antony Raju, then a junior lawyer, had appeared as defence counsel for Andrew Salvatore Cervelli, an Australian national who was arrested at Thiruvananthapuram airport for possession of 61.5 grams of hashish allegedly concealed in a hidden pocket of his dark blue underwear. The legal proceedings against Raju focused on allegations of evidence tampering during Cervelli’s trial.

After more than three decades, the Nedumangadu Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-I found Raju guilty on Saturday, highlighting the persistence of legal proceedings in cases with long-standing historical significance. The court’s ruling has now had immediate political consequences, affecting both the MLA’s position and the representation of the Thiruvananthapuram constituency.

Political Repercussions

Raju’s conviction has triggered immediate political reactions in Kerala. Youth Congress workers staged a protest march to the Secretariat on Saturday, demanding that the disqualified MLA step down and calling for accountability. The ruling front of Kerala now faces the task of managing the political fallout from the sudden vacancy of the 134-Thiruvananthapuram seat, which could influence upcoming legislative and local political dynamics.

The disqualification underscores the strict enforcement of provisions under the Representation of the People Act, which bars convicted individuals sentenced to imprisonment of two years or more from holding legislative office. In Raju’s case, the three-year sentence automatically triggered the disqualification, leaving no room for appeal against his immediate removal from the assembly.

Antony Raju’s Political Career

Antony Raju has been a prominent figure in Kerala politics, particularly known for his tenure as Transport Minister and his involvement in state legislative affairs. He represented the 134-Thiruvananthapuram constituency for several terms, actively participating in policymaking and governance initiatives, especially in the areas of transport infrastructure and local development projects.

His political career has now been overshadowed by the conviction, which not only results in the loss of his legislative position but also casts a long-standing legal controversy into public and political scrutiny. The disqualification serves as a reminder of how historical legal cases can have enduring consequences for politicians, even decades after the original incident.

Next Steps

With the assembly seat declared vacant, the Kerala Election Commission is expected to announce a by-election for the 134-Thiruvananthapuram constituency. Political parties in the state are likely to recalibrate their strategies in response to the vacancy, which could have implications for the balance of power within the state legislature.

Meanwhile, protests and public debates over Raju’s conviction and subsequent disqualification highlight growing concerns around accountability and transparency among elected representatives. Activists and political observers note that the case reinforces the importance of judicial oversight and the mechanisms in place to prevent elected officials with criminal convictions from continuing in office.

Public Reaction

The case has generated significant attention both locally and nationally. Citizens and political analysts have debated the delayed justice in a case stretching over three decades, while also considering the immediate political implications for the Kerala ruling front. The protests by Youth Congress workers signal continued public engagement on the issue and pressure for accountability in state governance.

In summary, Antony Raju’s disqualification represents a major political and legal development in Kerala, stemming from a decades-old 1990 drug-related case. The vacancy of the 134-Thiruvananthapuram assembly seat has triggered a combination of political, public, and administrative responses, highlighting the lasting impact of historical legal proceedings on contemporary politics. The unfolding situation now sets the stage for a by-election and renewed political maneuvering in Kerala.