Reporter TV MD Anto Augustine Arrested After Liquor Seizure at Wayanad Home; 67 Litres Recovered

Kochi/Kalpetta, September 17, 2026: Reporter TV Managing Director and Managing Editor Anto Augustine was taken into custody by the Kerala Excise Department early Thursday in a case concerning alleged possession of liquor beyond the legally permitted limit.

The action followed a search of Augustine’s family residence at Vazhavatta in Wayanad, where investigators initially reported recovering about 50 litres of liquor. Subsequent reports during the Excise proceedings put the total quantity at around 67 litres, including different categories of liquor and wine.

Why Was the Wayanad House Searched?

The liquor was discovered during a Special Investigation Team (SIT) search connected to a separate investigation into alleged financial irregularities surrounding a proposed event involving football star Lionel Messi and the Argentina team in Kerala.

Police had searched multiple locations, including Reporter TV-related premises and the homes of Augustine and his brothers, as part of that investigation. The liquor was reportedly found during the Wayanad search, following which the police alerted the Excise Department.

Initial Seizure Was Reported at 50 Litres

The first reports from the seizure operation said officials recovered:

43 litres of Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL)
7 litres of wine

That totalled approximately 50 litres, prompting the Excise Department to begin a separate inquiry into the possession and source of the liquor.

Later reporting during the Excise case put the overall quantity at around 67 litres. The updated figure appears to include additional categories of liquor and wine identified during the detailed seizure proceedings.

What Is the Legal Limit in Kerala?

According to the New Indian Express report, an individual is permitted to possess up to 3 litres of IMFL and 3.5 litres of wine for personal use under the relevant rules. The newspaper also reported an overall permissible quantity of 15 litres across different categories, subject to the applicable regulations.

The quantity allegedly recovered from Augustine’s residence was therefore substantially above the ordinary personal-possession limits cited by officials.

Anto Augustine Taken Into Custody From Kochi Office

Excise officials arrived at Reporter TV’s Kochi office at around 2.30 am on Thursday, and Augustine was taken into custody at approximately 5 am, according to the New Indian Express.

He was subsequently taken for a medical examination and was expected to be produced before a court in Wayanad. The Excise Department registered a case under Sections 55(A), 55(I) and 58 of the Kerala Abkari Act, with officials describing the offences as non-bailable.

Augustine Denies the Allegation

Augustine has denied the liquor-related allegation.

In comments reported by The Indian Express, he said that he had never consumed alcohol and that he would cooperate with the investigation. He also said he had handed over documents relating to the proposed Messi event.

His statements are part of the ongoing legal process, and the allegations have not been established as a conviction.

Liquor Case Linked to Larger Messi Event Investigation

The liquor case emerged during a broader police investigation into the failed proposal to bring Messi and the Argentina team to Kerala.

The Indian Express reported that the underlying FIR alleges conspiracy, cheating and fabrication of documents connected to the proposed event, including purported agreements with the Argentina Football Association. These are allegations contained in the FIR and remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.

What Happens Next?

The immediate legal process now involves the Excise Department's investigation into:

The exact quantity and categories of liquor recovered

The source and ownership of the liquor

Whether the required licence or permit existed

The circumstances in which the liquor was stored at the residence

Authorities are also expected to place Augustine before the competent court in Wayanad.

Why the 50-Litre and 67-Litre Figures Differ

The initial seizure report counted 43 litres of IMFL plus 7 litres of wine, giving the widely reported 50-litre figure. Later Excise-related reporting included additional liquor and wine categories, taking the total to about 67 litres.

For accuracy, NewsDesk7 can therefore refer to the case as a “50-litre initial seizure, later reported at around 67 litres after detailed assessment.”