KOCHI: Reporter TV Managing Director Anto Augustine has been arrested by the Excise Department in a case related to the possession of liquor beyond the permitted quantity. The arrest was made under the provisions of the Abkari Act, following the seizure of a large liquor stock from his family residence at Vazhavatta in Wayanad.
The liquor was reportedly discovered during a search conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) as part of the investigation into alleged financial irregularities linked to the proposed Kerala visit of football star Lionel Messi. Following information from the SIT, the Excise Department seized the liquor stock and initiated proceedings.
An Excise team later reached the Reporter TV office in Kochi to arrest Anto Augustine. Reports said there was a dispute over the arrest procedure after Augustine sought a copy of the FIR. He subsequently cooperated with the arrest proceedings after being provided with the FIR copy.
According to reports, 67 litres of liquor were recovered from the Wayanad residence. The seized stock reportedly included 43 litres of foreign liquor, seven litres of foreign wine and 13 litres of homemade wine. Bottles of liquor that are reportedly not authorised for sale in India were also found in another room, according to the report.
The exact quantity and details of the seized liquor are expected to be established through the official records and proceedings in the Excise case.
During the arrest, Anto Augustine reportedly told the media that he had not been given a clear explanation as to why the liquor had been kept at the house. He also said that he was being arrested in connection with an Excise case.
Following his arrest, Augustine was taken to the Aluva District Hospital for a medical examination.
Meanwhile, the SIT has completed its search at the Reporter TV office in Kochi and other locations in connection with the Messi Kerala visit case. The search began at around 6 am on Wednesday and continued for nearly 20 hours before concluding at around 2.30 am on Thursday.
The search was conducted under the leadership of Thrikkakara ACP Bijoy Chandran. Police said several documents and electronic materials, including memory cards, were seized during the operation.
ACP Bijoy Chandran said evidence had been collected during the search and that the SIT chief would provide further details regarding the operation. He also said the police had only instructed the staff not to engage in private conversations during the search and denied that there had been any attempt to obstruct the functioning of the newsroom.
The police searches were carried out with the permission of a magistrate in a case registered by the Kalamassery Police. Searches were conducted at the Chembumukku flat belonging to Reporter Broadcasting Company owner Anto Augustine and his siblings.
A marketing company named God Add, which the investigating team reportedly believes has links with Augustine, was also searched as part of the investigation.
The SIT searches and the Excise case are part of developments surrounding the investigation into alleged irregularities related to the proposed Kerala visit of Lionel Messi. Further details regarding the financial investigation and the evidence collected during the searches are expected to emerge as the probe progresses.
Meanwhile, proceedings in the Excise case registered over the liquor seizure are continuing under the relevant provisions of the Abkari Act.
