Anto Augustine remanded in Excise custody for 24 hours in Abkari case

Kalpetta: Reporter Broadcasting Company MD Anto Augustine has been remanded in Excise custody in an Abkari case. The Bathery Judicial First Class Magistrate Court granted the Excise 24 hours of custody. The agency had sought four days for detailed interrogation.

The prosecution sought four days of custody, stating that the source of the foreign-made liquor and other items seized in the case had to be traced and that Anto needed to be interrogated in detail. The court, however, granted 24 hours of custody.

The defence reiterated its earlier arguments, contending that the criteria for arrest had not been followed. It also argued that Anto was not present at the spot when the raid was conducted and was in Ernakulam at the time.