Kochi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed continuation of criminal proceedings against former Kerala Minister Antony Raju, MLA, accused of tampering material evidence in an alleged drug smugling case involving an Australian in 1990.
The Apex Court directed to complete the trial within one year.
A division bench of the Apex Court restored the lower court order which had taken cognizance of the chargesheet against Raju.
The lower court had ordered criminal proceedings against Raju over the alleged tampering case.
However, the order of the lower court was quashed by Kerala High Court which simultaneously ordering a probe against Raju under the relevant provisions of the CrPC.
This was challenged by Raju in the Supreme Court while one M R Ajayan moved the Supreme Court challenging the Kerala High Court order quashing the criminal proceedings against Raju.
The issue is related seizure case of narcotics material from the pocket of the innerwear worn by the Australian in 1990. Raju, who was the lawyer of the Australian, was accused of tampering with the original innerwear to sabotage the case.
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