The case originates from a 1990 drug seizure involving an Australian national who was found in possession of drugs hidden in the pocket of his underwear.

At the time, Raju was working as a junior lawyer for the defence counsel. The underwear, a key piece of evidence, was seized and later returned to the accused following a court order permitting the release of his personal belongings.

The sessions court subsequently convicted the Australian under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. However, on appeal, the Kerala High Court acquitted him because the underwear did not fit him, casting doubt on the integrity of the evidence.

The High Court, while acquitting the accused, directed a Vigilance probe into potential evidence tampering. Following this inquiry, an FIR was registered in 1994, naming Raju and a court staff member as accused. A final report was filed the same year.

Despite this, the trial faced significant delays and remained unresolved for decades. In 2022, Raju approached the High Court after media reports highlighted the case’s prolonged pendency.

The Supreme Court’s ruling now reopens the criminal proceedings, bringing renewed focus to a case that has spanned over 30 years.