# Reporter TV owner Anto Augustine faces Abkari Act case over liquor seizure

2026-09-16T10:12:11+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

The Excise Department has registered a case against Reporter TV owner Anto Augustine after 43 litres of foreign liquor and 22 litres of wine were seized from his Wayanad family home. The quantity far exceeds the legal limit of three litres of IMFL and 3.5 litres of wine per individual in Kerala. The liquor was discovered during a police search connected to a failed attempt to bring footballer Lionel Messi to the state. The Excise team led by Circle Inspector Sharafuddin is verifying whether the stock was imported or domestic. A non-bailable charge has been registered. Legal proceedings are underway.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The Mathrubhumi report specifies 43 litres of imported foreign liquor and 22 litres of wine, and highlights a non-bailable charge, which frames the violation as serious and intentional. The New Indian Express gives lower figures of 43 litres of IMFL and seven litres of wine, and notes police were searching for a Messi-linked case, potentially softening the focus on the Excise violation. Deccan Herald's brief wire report (PTI) confirms an arrest under the Abkari Act. The key difference is Mathrubhumi's emphasis on imported liquor and the non-bailable provision, which escalates the legal severity compared to the other versions. The Excise Department's pending verification of whether the stock was imported or domestic will determine the exact charges.

## Coverage

- newindianexpress.com (neutral report) <https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2026/Sep/16/50-litres-of-liquor-seized-from-reportertv-owner-anto-augustines-wayanad-residence>
  Leads with seizure figures and Messi case context, omits non-bailable charge detail
- english.mathrubhumi.com (neutral report) <https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/43-litres-of-imported-liquor-22-litres-of-wine-excise-registers-case-against-anto-non-bailable-charge-bviik1dv>
  Emphasises imported liquor and non-bailable provision, frames as serious violation
- deccanherald.com (neutral report) <https://www.deccanherald.com/india/keralam/keralam-reporter-tvs-md-arrested-in-abkari-act-violation-4149027>
  Brief wire copy, confirms arrest under Abkari Act, no additional framing

Tags: Anto Augustine, Kerala Excise Department, Lionel Messi, ReporterTV, Wayanad
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