Wayanad Court Rejects Bail for Reporter TV MD Anto Augustine in Messi-Gate Case
The Bathery court in Wayanad on September 18 rejected the bail application of Anto Augustine, the Managing Director of Reporter Broadcasting Company Private Limited. Augustine, who is also the prime accused in an alleged fraud case dubbed "Messi-Gate," is currently in judicial remand at the district jail in Mananthavady following the seizure of liquor from his residence in Wayanad.
Dispute Over Seized Liquor and Property Ownership
According to the Excise Department, the quantity of liquor seized from Augustine's Wayanad residence exceeded permissible limits, and illicit liquor was also recovered during the search.
During the court proceedings, counsel representing Augustine argued that the raided property did not belong to him, stating that an attachment process was underway. The defense further submitted that the seized substance was not illicit liquor but home-made wine, and alleged that a conspiracy was being orchestrated against his client.
The prosecution strongly contested these claims, asserting that the house remains under Augustine's ownership. To substantiate their argument, the prosecution reportedly presented the latest tax payment receipt for the property to the court.
The 'Messi-Gate' Fraud Investigation and Raids
The legal troubles for Augustine extend to a major fraud investigation. On September 15, the Kalamasserry Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) alleging cheating, fraud, and conspiracy. The case was initiated following a preliminary enquiry by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was prompted by reports from the Sports Department regarding a proposed visit to Kerala by legendary footballer Lionel Messi. After finding prima facie evidence, the police secured search warrants from the magistrate.
In the FIR, Anto Augustine is named as the first accused, while the Reporter Broadcasting Company is listed as the second accused.
Following the registration of the FIR, the SIT conducted coordinated raids on September 16 across five locations. These included the offices and studio of Reporter Broadcasting Company Private Limited, the office of GoatAd Company, Augustine's residence in Kochi, and his ancestral home in Wayanad. Reports indicate that searches were also conducted at the residences of his brothers, Roji Augustine and Josekkutty Augustine.
Briefing the media on the operations, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) P. Vijayan IPS stated that five teams, each including two independent government servant witnesses, women officials, and a technical team, executed the searches. He dismissed allegations that the mobile phones of Reporter TV journalists were confiscated, advising media personnel to verify the search register, which was signed by the channel's representatives. ADGP Vijayan added that the entire raid process was videographed and noted the presence of digitalized lockers in the studio.
Political Reactions and Press Freedom Debate
The police actions have triggered sharp reactions from leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)). Following the raid on the Reporter Channel office on September 16, former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the police action, describing it as an assault on press freedom that recalled the days of the 1975 Emergency. CPI(M) party general secretary M.A. Baby expressed similar concerns.
On September 18, CPI(M) leader and former finance minister T.M. Thomas Isaac criticized the actions of both the GST Department and the United Democratic Front (UDF) government. Isaac accused the authorities of fabricating cases to target media houses and individuals, arguing that there was no transaction of sale or service to warrant GST intervention. He alleged that the GST framework was being utilized as a political tool and that authorities were infringing upon civil rights.
Conversely, critics have pointed out that the CPI(M) leadership's defense of the channel is unsurprising, claiming that Reporter Channel has consistently supported and praised the Pinarayi Vijayan administration over the past decade, serving a supportive role for the ruling Left Democratic Front.
