Kochi: Anto Augustine, chief of Malayalam news channel Reporter, was arrested under the Abkari Act on Thursday morning in connection with the seizure of liquor allegedly exceeding the permitted quantity. 

The arrest followed the seizure of 63 litres of foreign liquor from Augustine's residence during a police investigation into an alleged fraud linked to football star Lionel Messi's proposed visit to Kerala.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the alleged fraud, informed the Excise Department about the liquor found at the house. Acting on the information, an Excise team seized the liquor and initiated proceedings under the Abkari Act.

Arrest after FIR copy was provided

Augustine initially refused to cooperate with the arrest when Excise officials arrived without a copy of the First Information Report (FIR). He later cooperated after the officials provided him with the FIR copy.

When asked by the media why 63 litres of foreign liquor had been kept at his residence, Augustine did not give an explanation. He said he had been arrested in connection with an Excise case.

Augustine was subsequently taken to the Aluva District Hospital for a medical examination.