Kochi, September 17, 2026: Reporter Broadcasting Company Managing Director Anto Augustine was arrested by the Excise Department in connection with a case involving the alleged possession of liquor beyond the legally permitted limit at his residence in Wayanad.

According to details reported from the FIR, Excise officials allegedly seized 138 bottles of liquor, amounting to approximately 67 litres, from Augustine’s residence. A case has been registered under provisions of the Kerala Abkari Act relating to the illegal possession and storage of liquor.

The charges reportedly include offences relating to the illegal transportation and possession of liquor, possession of liquor for unauthorised sale, and possession of liquor in violation of tax and excise regulations. Media reports citing Excise officials said non-bailable provisions of the Abkari Act have also been invoked.

Liquor allegedly seized from residence

According to reports based on Excise records, the seized liquor included foreign-made liquor, wine and other alcoholic beverages. The reported seizure included approximately 43 litres of foreign liquor, 4.824 litres of foreign-made wine, 5.5 litres of Kerala wine, 860 ml of military liquor and around 12.75 litres of liquor suspected to be homemade wine.

Officials are examining how the liquor reached the residence and whether it was being stored in violation of the provisions of the Abkari Act.

SIT raid at Reporter TV office

The Excise action came amid a separate investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) into allegations of financial fraud linked to a proposal to bring football star Lionel Messi to Kerala.

The SIT conducted a search at the Reporter TV office as part of that investigation. According to media reports, investigators seized several documents and digital materials during the search.

The SIT also reportedly recovered $6,300 in US currency from the office. The foreign currency is expected to be examined to determine whether any provisions relating to foreign exchange regulations were violated. Reports said the findings may be shared with central agencies for further examination.

Arrest after FIR copy was provided

According to media reports, Excise officials reached the Reporter TV office to arrest Augustine after the SIT search was completed.

Augustine reportedly asked the officials to provide him with a copy of the FIR before proceeding with the arrest. Although a digital copy was initially shown to him, he allegedly insisted on receiving a hard copy.

Following this, an Excise Inspector from Perumbavoor reportedly arrived with a hard copy of the FIR, after which Augustine cooperated with the arrest proceedings.

‘I have never consumed alcohol in my life,’ says Augustine

Following his arrest, Augustine denied consuming alcohol and said he was unaware of how the liquor allegedly came to be stored at his residence.

“I am not a person who drinks. I have never consumed alcohol in my life. I do not know what the Excise case is about.”

Speaking to the media, Augustine also said that he had cooperated with the authorities in the investigation related to the Messi case.

“The police-related proceedings are over. I gave them the documents related to Messi. After that, I have been arrested in some case related to the Excise Department. I was detained at around 2 a.m.”

He further said:

“I do not know where the liquor was stored or what the arrangement was. I am here. Let me see what happened. We will look into everything.”

Excise investigation continues

Excise officials have maintained that the quantity of liquor allegedly recovered from the residence was substantially above the permissible limit for personal possession. The investigation is expected to focus on the source of the liquor, the circumstances under which it was stored and whether there was any intention to distribute or sell it illegally.

The allegations against Augustine remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings. His statement that he had never consumed alcohol and was unaware of the liquor kept at the residence is his defence and does not by itself determine the outcome of the case.

The SIT investigation into the alleged financial fraud connected with the proposed Messi event is also continuing. Documents and digital evidence seized from the Reporter TV office are expected to form part of that investigation.