Anto Augustine in police custody
Messi-Gate accused and Reporter Broadcasting Company Private Limited managing director Anto Augustine suffered a setback on September 18, as the Bathery court in Wayanad rejected his bail application. Augustine is currently in judicial remand at the district jail in Mananthavady in connection with liquor seized from his Wayanad residence. The Excise Department said the quantity was above the permissible limit and also found illicit liquor at the house.
Anto Augustine’s counsel argued before the court that the house raided by the police and the Excise did not belong to him and the attachment is in the process. He further submitted that the seized liquor is not illicit, but home-made wine. He also submitted that there is a conspiracy against his client, Anto Augustine.
But the prosecution contested it and made it clear that the house still belongs to Anto Augustine. They reportedly presented the latest tax payment receipt to substantiate it.
But CPM leaders still attack police action. Immediately after the police raid at the Reporter Channel office on September 16, former CM Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the police action, stating that it was an attack against the freedom of the press and that it reminded him of the Emergency (1975) days. CPI (M) Party general secretary M.A. Baby echoed his senior leader Pinarayi Vijayan.
While talking to the media, on September 18, CPM leader and former finance minister T.M. Thomas Isaac, criticised the action of the GST Department and the UDF government against Anto Augustine. CPM leader alleged that the government tries to fabricate the cases and tries to hunt for the media houses and the individuals. He said there was no sale or service; hence, there is no scope for GST. He alleged that the GST is being used as a political tool. He added that the police and the authorities intrude into civil rights.
Critics argue that CPM leaders’ reactions are quite natural. Because, the Reporter Channel has been supporting and praising the conduct of Pinarayi regime for the last ten years. They were more useful to the CPM and the CPM-led Left Democratic Front government than the CPM-controlled “Kairali” Malayalam TV channel.
On September 16, Special Investigation Team (SIT), inquiring into the fraud in the name of legendary footballer Lionel Messi, carried out marathon raids in five places, including the offices and studio of Reporter Broadcasting Company Private Limited and the office of GoatAd Company. Raids were also carried out at the Kochi residence of Anto Augustine, Managing Director of Reporter Broadcasting Company, and also at his ancestral house in Wayanad. Reports suggest that raids have been carried out at the residences of other Augustine brothers, Roji Augustine and Josekkutty Augustine.
An FIR was registered by Kalamasserry Police on September 15 in connection with the Messi fraud, with Anto Augustine as the first accused and Reporter Broadcasting Company as the second.
Consequently, police obtained the court’s permission for the raids. An FIR has been registered alleging cheating, fraud and conspiracy. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) P. Vijayan IPS briefed the media about the procedures the police applied. He said Anto Augustine is the first accused and the Reporter Broadcasting Company is the second. He added that the raids were conducted after obtaining the Search Warrant from the Magistrate.
ADGP P. Vijayan rejected the allegation that mobile phones of the Reporter TV Channel journalists were seized. He told the media persons that they may check the Search Register, which the channel people have also signed. He said police have videographed the entire raids. He said that there are digitalised lockers in the studio.
The police started the preliminary enquiry on the basis of the reports received from the Sports Department regarding Messi’s proposed Keralam visit.
Original reports and necessary documents were collected and statements of some persons were recorded. An FIR was registered after prima facie evidence was found.
Five teams conducted raids at five places. Each team included two independent witnesses who are government servants, women officials and a technical team for collecting the technical information. The entire operations were videographed.
