Kochi, September 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Reporter TV Managing Director Anto Augustine was formally arrested by the Excise Department on Thursday in connection with a case involving alleged possession of liquor beyond the permissible limit, as a separate Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into alleged financial irregularities surrounding the proposed visit of Lionel Messi and the Argentina football team to Kerala intensified.
An Excise team led by Assistant Commissioner Baiju reached the Reporter TV office at Kalamassery in the early hours of Thursday and took Augustine into custody. He underwent a medical examination and was subsequently taken to Wayanad, where he is expected to be produced before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court at Sulthan Bathery.
The arrest followed the seizure of liquor from Augustine’s ancestral home at Vazhavatta in Wayanad during an SIT search on Wednesday. Excise officials reportedly recovered 43 litres of foreign liquor, seven litres of foreign wine and 13 litres of homemade wine. They also seized bottles containing liquor not authorised for sale in India.
There was a tense exchange at the Reporter TV office before the arrest was completed. After officials read out the seizure mahazar, Augustine asked to see the FIR. Officials initially showed him a digital copy, but he insisted on receiving a physical copy. Perumbavoor Excise Circle Inspector Manoj Kumar subsequently arrived with the hard copy, following which the arrest was formally recorded.
The action came after an almost 20-hour SIT search of the Reporter Broadcasting Company office and premises associated with its owners in Kochi and Wayanad. Acting under court warrants, investigators seized documents, memory cards and records relating to the Kaloor stadium, besides $6,300 in foreign currency.
The SIT, headed by ADGP P. Vijayan, began its search around 6 a.m. Wednesday under the leadership of Thrikkakara ACP Bijoy Chandran and concluded at approximately 2.30 a.m. Thursday. Investigators also searched flats belonging to Augustine and his brothers at Chembumukku and the office of marketing company GOTAD, which police suspect is linked to Augustine.
State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, who returned from the US, said the SIT was constituted following a report submitted by the Sports Secretary and handed over to him by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan.
“The SIT is doing its job according to law. It has acted only in accordance with the prevailing laws. The Home Minister does not intervene,” Chennithala told reporters at Cochin airport.
He said any action found to have violated the law would be examined. Referring to the searches, he said the investigators had obtained warrants and proceeded accordingly.
The Excise case involves non-bailable provisions under the Abkari Act, while the separate SIT investigation relates to allegations of cheating and financial irregularities connected with the proposed Messi-Argentina event.
Police said evidence had been collected during the searches and that the SIT chief would provide further details.
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