A Kerala court on Friday denied bail to Reporter TV Managing Director Anto Augustine, who was arrested in connection with a case alleging possession of liquor beyond the permissible limit under the Kerala Abkari Act.
Judicial First Class Magistrate Adheena Biju at Sulthan Bathery had remanded Augustine to 14 days’ judicial custody late Thursday night. His subsequent bail application was dismissed by the Magistrate on Friday.
Augustine was arrested early Thursday by the Excise Department, a day after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kerala Police conducted searches at his offices and residences.
During a search of Augustine’s family residence in Wayanad, officials allegedly recovered around 67 litres of foreign liquor and wine, which the prosecution claimed exceeded the legally permissible limit for personal possession.
He has been booked under Sections 55(i), 55(a) and 58 of the Kerala Abkari Act, which deal with offences relating to the illegal import, export, transport, sale and possession of liquor or intoxicating substances.
The prosecution opposed the bail plea, submitting that the investigation was at an initial stage. It also expressed apprehension that Augustine could influence witnesses if released on bail.
The arrest came amid a wider SIT investigation into alleged financial irregularities linked to a proposed football event involving the Argentina national football team and Lionel Messi.
Augustine’s Reporter Broadcasting Company was reportedly the main commercial sponsor of the event, which ultimately did not take place as planned.
The police searched Augustine’s premises were carried out as part of this financial-fraud investigation. The liquor allegedly recovered during the Wayanad search subsequently led to the separate Abkari Act case in which he was arrested.
The Magistrate’s order means Augustine will remain in judicial custody as the investigation into the liquor-possession allegations continues.
The post Kerala Court denies bail to Reporter TV MD Anto Augustine in liquor possession case appeared first on India Legal.