Alcohol Seizure in Vayanad Triggers Arrest of Reporter TV Director During Messi Case Investigation

Law enforcement officers seized a massive cache of alcoholic beverages at the residence of Anto Augustine, the Managing Director of Reporter TV, prompting his arrest on charges of possessing liquor beyond the prescribed limit. The seizure took place in Vazhavatta, Vayanad, after a comprehensive search of the Reporter TV office in Kalamassery by an excise team led by Assistant Commissioner Baiju.

Authorities recovered 43 liters of foreign liquor, seven liters of imported wine, 13 liters of Indian wine, and numerous bottles of unlicensed spirits intended for distribution in India. Augustine initially requested a hard‑copy of the FIR, despite being shown an electronic version, before signing the document. The formal arrest was completed after Perumbavoor Excise Circle Inspector Manoj Kumar presented the physical FIR.

Following his medical examination, Augustine was moved to Vayanad, a journey anticipated to take several hours, before being presented before the First Class Judicial Magistrate at Sultan Bathery. The arrest aligns with a larger, 20‑hour search operation that spanned Reporter Broadcasting Company offices in both Kochi and Vayanad, during which police seized stadium‑related documents, memory cards, audio recordings, and $6,300 in foreign currency under a court‑issued warrant.

The Special Investigation Team, constituted by ADGP P. Vijayan on the Sports Secretary’s recommendation, is tasked with probing the alleged financial irregularities surrounding Lionel Messi’s Kerala visit. The Home Minister, addressing reporters at Cochin Airport, reiterated that the SIT is operating strictly within the bounds of the law and any deviation will be examined.