News Channel MD Anto Augustine Arrested After 67 Litres Liquor Seized

The Managing Director of a private Malayalam news channel, Anto Augustine, was arrested by Excise officials in the early hours of Thursday after liquor allegedly exceeding the permissible limit was recovered from his ancestral house in Wayanad, officials said.

The Excise Department registered a case against Augustine based on a police report following the recovery of 67 litres of liquor from the property. Officials said the case was filed under various non-bailable provisions of the Abkari Act relating to possession of liquor beyond the legally permitted quantity.

Augustine was detained in Kochi around 2 am and later shifted to Wayanad, according to Excise officials.

Speaking to reporters, Augustine said the arrest was unrelated to the investigation into a proposed football event featuring Argentine football star Lionel Messi. The event was sponsored by Reporter Broadcasting Company and is being investigated over alleged irregularities.

“Regarding the Messi-related football match probe, all documents have been given, and the search is over. The arrest is now made in an Excise case,” Augustine said.

He also denied consuming alcohol, saying he had never used liquor. Responding to questions about the recovery, he said he was in Kochi when the search was conducted and was unaware of the liquor kept at the Wayanad property.

The arrest came a day after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) conducted searches at the offices and residences of Augustine and his two brothers in Kochi and Wayanad as part of its probe into the football event.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala defended the SIT action, saying the searches were carried out after obtaining the required warrants.

“The Home Minister will not interfere in any police investigation. Let the investigation go on. The law will take its course,” Chennithala said.

He also rejected Opposition allegations of an emergency-like situation in Kerala, asserting that police would take action against anyone found to have violated the law.