---
title: "Reporter TV Owner Anto Augustin Arrested by Excise in Excess Liquor Case"
english_title: "Anto Augustin Arrested by Excise in Excess Liquor Case"
publisher: "Truevision English News"
canonical_url: "https://english.truevisionnews.com/news/383026/anto-augustin-arrested-excise-excess-liquor-case"
published_at: "2026-09-17T06:38:00+05:30"
category: "Big Story"
language: "en"
image: "https://cf.zdn.im/img/truevisionnews.com/0/image-uploads/6aab3f8208ac6_anto-augustin-arrested-excise-excess-liquor-case.jpg"
keywords: ["Anto Augustin", "Excise Arrest", "Reporter TV", "Wayanad Liquor Case", "Illegal Liquor", "Kerala Excise"]
---

# Reporter TV Owner Anto Augustin Arrested by Excise in Excess Liquor Case

> **Lead Summary:** **Kochi:** Reporter TV owner Anto Augustin has been arrested by the Excise Department in connection with a case involving the alleged possession of liquor in excess of the legally permitted quantity. The Excise action followed the recovery of a large quantity of liquor from his residence at Vazhavatta in Wayanad.

## Article Content

**Kochi:** Reporter TV owner Anto Augustin has been arrested by the Excise Department in connection with a case involving the alleged possession of liquor in excess of the legally permitted quantity. The Excise action followed the recovery of a large quantity of liquor from his residence at Vazhavatta in Wayanad.

An Excise team led by Excise Assistant Commissioner Baiju reached Anto Augustin’s office in Kochi and arrested him. He was subsequently taken to the District Hospital in Aluva for a medical examination.

According to the Excise Assistant Commissioner, Anto will be taken to Wayanad and produced before the Bathery Judicial First Class Magistrate Court. He said Anto is currently the only accused in the case. The Excise Department has registered the case under Sections 55A, 55I and 58 of the Abkari Act, which include non-bailable provisions.

Anto had reportedly maintained that he would not cooperate with the arrest without being shown the FIR. Although officials showed him a digital copy of the FIR, he insisted on receiving a hard copy. Subsequently, Perumbavoor Excise Circle Inspector Manoj Kumar arrived with a physical copy of the FIR.

The Excise Department said the search at the Vazhavatta residence resulted in the seizure of different types of liquor allegedly exceeding the quantity that an individual is permitted to possess. The seized stock reportedly included 43 litres of foreign liquor, seven litres of foreign wine and 13 litres of homemade wine. Liquor bottles that were allegedly not authorised for sale in India were also recovered from another room.

The arrest came shortly after an SIT team concluded a raid at Anto’s office in connection with an alleged fraud related to Messi. The raid, conducted under the leadership of Thrikkakara ACP Bijoy Chandra, began around 6 am on Wednesday and continued for nearly 20 hours, concluding at 2:30 am on Thursday.

During the raid, the SIT reportedly seized several documents, including memory cards and records related to Kaloor Stadium, along with US$6,300. The Excise team reached the office shortly before the SIT officials left after completing the search.

### Related Links & Sources
- [Original Story Source](https://english.truevisionnews.com/news/383026/anto-augustin-arrested-excise-excess-liquor-case)