Kochi: What could be described as police high-handedness and a reminder of emergency days, Keralam cops entered the core newsroom, seized mobile phones belonging to working journalists and technical staff, and temporarily disrupted operations under the premise of an ongoing inspection. This happened at the head office of Reporter Broadcasting Company, a prominent media group that controls Reporter TV and its digital arms.

A group of police personnel arrived at the Kochi office of the media house early in the morning on Wednesday and seized items including the mobile phones of journalists. The police intrusion disrupted work in the newsroom, an area accessed solely by journalists and technical staff.

The inspection was led by the Thrikkakara ACP. The Keralam DGP later told the media house that no permission was granted for the operation, confirming it took place without his knowledge.

As per the media house, the phones and other devices were confiscated with the intent of blocking Reporter TV’s broadcast.

Without disclosing the reason for the raid or any further details to the journalists, officers remained at the headquarters for over half an hour, which was broadcast live.

The controversy surrounding Reporter Broadcasting Company centers on high-profile financial investigations involving the owners of the Reporter channel, the Augustine brothers.

At the core of the issue is an event involving international football icon Lionel Messi, which triggered a wider probe into the media group’s operations. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Kerala Police flagged financial irregularities and alleged tax evasion amounting to Rs 25.78 crore by the company. The investigation focuses on undisclosed bank accounts and suspicious transactions linked to the event management and promotional deals surrounding the project.