Anto Augustine’s ‘house not mine’ claim fails; Excise to seek custody

Sulthan Bathery: The prosecution’s detailed arguments led to the Sulthan Bathery First Class Magistrate Court rejecting the bail plea of Reporter Channel owner Anto Augustine, who was arrested in an Abkari case and is currently in judicial custody. Anto’s claim that the liquor was seized from a house that did not belong to him was effectively countered by the prosecution, leaving him with little scope for bail.

Anto’s lawyer had primarily argued in court that the house from which the illicit liquor was seized did not belong to him. The defence claimed that possession of the house had been transferred to another person as part of certain court proceedings. However, the prosecution produced documents showing that the house belonged to Anto, effectively countering the argument. The prosecution submitted a document from Muttil panchayat as evidence that the house belonged to Anto.

The court also accepted the prosecution’s arguments that the accused is an influential person and that, if granted bail, he could influence witnesses and destroy evidence. Excise will soon submit a custody application before the court for further investigation and evidence collection in the case.

The liquor was found at a house named Moongani near the Karapuzha Reservoir. It was found during a police search in connection with the Messi fraud case. The police informed the Excise Department.

Considering the seriousness of the case, a special investigation team comprising the Excise Joint Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Excise Commissioner had also been appointed. The team questioned Anto Augustine in custody until 4.30 p.m. the other day. He was produced before the court later that night and remanded in judicial custody.