Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Kerala Police Book Reporter TV MD Over Marriage Claims
Police in Kerala opened a case after claims were made about a supposed second marriage involving V.D. Satheesan.
The claims were based on documents said to show a marriage registration.
Anto Augustine of Reporter TV said people brought the documents to him.
He said he sent a reporter to check them at a sub-registrar’s office.
He decided not to publish the story because the documents did not seem convincing.
A political spokesperson then complained to the police.
The complaint said the documents may have been created to damage the Chief Minister’s reputation and destabilize the government.
Police named Augustine and two unknown people in the case.
Augustine said he would cooperate but called the case unnecessary drama.
Kerala Police registered a criminal case against Reporter TV Managing Director Anto Augustine.
The case follows allegations concerning purported documents about Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s alleged second marriage.
The FIR names Augustine as the first accused and includes two unidentified individuals.
Charges involve alleged conspiracy, possession of forged documents, and an attempt to insult and defame the Chief Minister.
Augustine denied wrongdoing, called the case unnecessary drama, and said he would cooperate with a fair investigation.
- Who
- Kerala Police registered a case against Reporter TV Managing Director Anto Augustine, with two unidentified individuals also named; the complaint was filed by KPCC spokesperson Raju P. Nair.
- What
- A criminal case was filed over alleged forged documents and public claims concerning an alleged second marriage of Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan.
- When
- The case was registered on Wednesday after statements made by Augustine at a recent public event.
- Where
- The alleged documents were reportedly checked at the Byndoor Sub-Registrar’s Office, while the police case concerns events linked to Kerala and the Reporter TV office.
- Why
- The complaint alleged a conspiracy to destabilize the state government and damage the Chief Minister’s reputation.
Complainant and Police Allegations
Anto Augustine’s Response
Purpose of the Documents
Complainant and Police Allegations
Raju P. Nair alleged that the documents were fabricated as part of a political conspiracy to destabilize the state government and tarnish V.D. Satheesan’s reputation.
Anto Augustine’s Response
Augustine said the documents were brought to him by two people and that he chose not to publish the story after finding them unconvincing.
Need for Legal Action
Complainant and Police Allegations
Police registered a case involving alleged conspiracy, forged documents, and an attempt to publicly insult and defame the Chief Minister.
Anto Augustine’s Response
Augustine described the registration of the case as unnecessary drama while stating that he would cooperate with a fair investigation.
Responsibility for the Documents
Complainant and Police Allegations
The complaint asked police to identify the individuals who allegedly prepared the documents, including through CCTV footage from the Reporter TV office.
Anto Augustine’s Response
Augustine’s account places the documents’ origin with the two individuals who approached him; the police investigation is still examining who created them.
- First accused
- Anto Augustine, Managing Director of Reporter TV
- Other accused
- Two unidentified individuals
- Complainant
- Raju P. Nair, KPCC spokesperson
- Alleged offenses
- Conspiracy, possession of forged documents, and an attempt to insult and defame the Chief Minister
- Documents
- Purported marriage registration documents involving V.D. Satheesan
- Verification
- Augustine said a reporter checked the records at the Byndoor Sub-Registrar’s Office
- Investigation
- Police are investigating who allegedly created the documents and have been urged to review CCTV footage and seize them