Anto Augustine, managing editor and director of a Malayalam freeโtoโair news channel linked to the aborted Lionel Messi Kerala event, has been arrested on charges of illegal liquor possession.
Anto Augustine, the managing editor and director of Reporter TV, a Malayalam-language free-to-air news channel linked to an alleged cheating case related to the unsuccessful attempt to bring Argentine football icon Lionel Messi to Keralam, has been arrested on charges of illegal possession of liquor.
Lionel Messi and Argentina’s visit to Kerala turned out to be a major political and criminal investigation after the planned event fell through. The earlier-in-command LDF government and its former sports minister had enthusiastically announced Messi and La Albiceleste’s arrival in the region for an international friendly match.
Augustine’s Reporter Broadcasting Company were the main commercial sponsor and claimed a massive payment outlay of over โน126 crore, which was designated for AFA. When the event was aborted, the new state government initiated a probe into lapses, tax issues and financial claims around the event.
Reporter TV MD linked to cancelled Messi event arrested
Reporter TV MD Augustine was arrested by the excise department one day after the Keralam Police raided the channel’s premises in connection with the alleged cheating case related to Messi.
According to the Indian Express, the special investigation team allegedly uncovered 67 litres of illegal Indian-made foreign liquor and foreign-made foreign liquor. The excise department registered a case under the Kerala Abkari Act, leading to his arrest.
Augustine speaks out
After being taken into custody from Reporter TVโs head office in Kochi on Thursday, Augustine said that he has never consumed alcohol and is ready to cooperate with the probe.
More from Football NewsโI had handed over all documents related to Messi. Now, the excise has come up with a case saying they had found a stock of liquor in my house. I have never consumed alcohol in my life. I will cooperate with the probe,โ Augustine said.
In Keralam, a person is permitted to have only three litres of IMFL, and sources said that Augustine will face non-bailable offences and can face up to ten years of imprisonment if convicted.ย ย