Anto Augustine sent to Excise custody for 24 hours in Abkari case

KALPETTA: Anto Augustine, Managing Director of Reporter Broadcasting Company, has been remanded to Excise custody in connection with an Abkari case. The Bathery Judicial Magistrate Court granted 24-hour custody of Anto to the Excise Department. The Excise had sought four days of custody to conduct a detailed interrogation.

The authorities need to trace the source of the seized items, including foreign-made liquor. While the prosecution requested four days of custody for detailed questioning, the defence reiterated its earlier arguments. They contended in court that arrest protocols were not followed and that Anto was not present at the scene, noting that the raid took place while he was in Ernakulam.

Although Anto Augustine approached the High Court, interim bail was denied; the hearing of the case was adjourned to Tuesday. The Director General of Prosecution, appearing for the government, informed the court that the investigation is in its preliminary stage and argued against granting bail to Anto at this juncture. The prosecution also pointed out that Anto is an accused in several other cases.

Earlier yesterday morning, the Sultan Bathery Judicial First Class Magistrate Court had rejected Anto's bail plea. Following the High Court's refusal to grant bail as well, Anto was remanded to custody for 14 days. A special investigation team seized 69.589 litres of liquor in a raid at Anto Augustine's ancestral home in Wayanad in connection with the 'Messi' controversy; Anto Augustine was subsequently arrested in the case registered by the Excise Department after the seized liquor was handed over to them.