Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Reporter TV MD Remanded in Liquor Case Amid Messi Probe
Anto Augustine, a news channel manager, was arrested in Kerala over a liquor case.
Officials say they found more alcohol at his family home than the law allows.
One report listed 43 litres of foreign liquor, seven litres of foreign wine and 13 litres of homemade wine.
Another report described the seizure as 67 litres of unauthorized liquor.
The reports also gave different names for the home’s location.
A court sent Augustine to judicial custody for 14 days.
He says he did not know about the stored alcohol and that he lives in Kochi.
Police are separately investigating money and cheating allegations connected to a proposed football event involving Lionel Messi and Argentina.
Reporter TV Managing Director Anto Augustine was arrested by Kerala Excise officials and remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.
Officials said they seized unauthorized liquor from his ancestral home, but the reports differ on the total quantity and exact location.
The arrest followed a nearly 20-hour court-authorized SIT search of offices, homes and premises linked to Augustine and his brothers.
Investigators seized documents, memory cards, Kaloor stadium records and $6,300 in foreign currency during the searches.
The separate SIT investigation concerns alleged cheating and financial irregularities surrounding the proposed Lionel Messi and Argentina team event in Kerala.
- Who
- Anto Augustine, Managing Director of Reporter TV, was arrested by the Kerala Excise Department; a police SIT is investigating the proposed Messi-Argentina event.
- What
- Augustine was arrested and remanded in a liquor-storage case while a separate SIT probe examined alleged cheating and financial irregularities linked to the proposed football event.
- When
- The searches began around 6 a.m. Wednesday and ended about 2:30 a.m. Thursday; Augustine was arrested early Thursday and remanded for 14 days.
- Where
- The arrest took place at the Reporter TV office in Kalamassery, Kochi; searches were conducted in Kochi and Wayanad, and the case was heard in Sultan Bathery.
- Why
- Excise officials allege Augustine possessed liquor beyond the legal limit, while the SIT is investigating alleged financial problems surrounding the proposed event.
Investigators' account
Augustine's position
Liquor possession
Investigators' account
Excise officials allege Augustine possessed liquor well beyond the permissible legal limit and booked him under non-bailable Abkari Act provisions.
Augustine's position
Augustine maintained his innocence, saying he had no knowledge of the stored alcohol and that he resides in Kochi.
Search and investigation
Investigators' account
Authorities said the searches were conducted under court warrants and that the SIT was acting according to law while examining the proposed football event and related evidence.
Augustine's position
Augustine requested to see the FIR before his arrest and initially insisted on receiving a physical copy rather than only a digital version.
Seized quantity and location
Investigators' account
The reports describe a seizure from an ancestral home in Wayanad, but differ on the location and quantity: one gives a detailed breakdown totaling 63 litres, while another says 67 litres.
Augustine's position
No separate response from Augustine addressing the differing reported quantities or locations was provided in the articles.
- Accused
- Anto Augustine, Managing Director of Reporter TV
- Court order
- 14 days of judicial custody
- Liquor reported seized
- One report listed 43 litres of foreign liquor, 7 litres of foreign wine and 13 litres of homemade wine; another reported 67 litres of unauthorized liquor
- Search duration
- Nearly 20 hours
- Other seized materials
- Documents, memory cards, Kaloor stadium records and $6,300 in foreign currency
- Legal provisions
- Non-bailable provisions of the Kerala Abkari Act, including Sections 55(A), 55(I) and 58
- Separate SIT probe
- Alleged cheating and financial irregularities tied to the proposed Lionel Messi and Argentina team event
