Reporter TV MD Anto Augustine Arrested Over Liquor Case Amid Messi's Kerala Visit Probe
The Kerala Excise Department on Thursday, September 17, arrested Anto Augustine, managing director and managing editor of Malayalam news channel Reporter TV. The arrest was reportedly recorded under non-bailable provisions of the Abkari Act following the discovery of a excess liquor from his home.
The news channel MD was taken into custody around 5 am from the news channel’s office in Ernakulam. Police reportedly recovered roughly 67 litres of foreign liquor and wine at his family home in Vazhavatta, Wayanad.
The liquor possession exceeded the legally permissible limit for personal possession, leading to Augustine’s arrest. After the arrest, he was taken to the Aluva District Hospital for medical examination.
Augustine would be transported to Wayanad to be produced before the Sulthan Bathery Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, according to the police. Police is currently involved in an ongoing financial investigations involving the owners of the Reporter Broadcasting Company, Anto Augustine and Joskutty Augustine, brothers from Wayanad. The investigation centres on a failed high-profile event that was set to involve international football icon Lionel Messi and other figures.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) flagged alleged financial irregularities and tax evasion totaling Rs 25.78 crore linked to promotional deals and undisclosed bank accounts connected to the project.
