The Kerala High Court on Friday (September 18), declined for now, to grant interim bail to Reporter TV Managing Director Anto Augustine, who is booked in an excise case for illegal possession of large quantities of alcohol in his residence.

The application was urgently moved following dismissal of his bail plea by the Judicial First Class Magistrate 1, Sulthan Bathery today morning. He was arrested at 5:00 am yesterday (September 17).

When the matter came up, Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath, orally said:

"Since custody and all is granted, it is not proper on my part to grant interim bail at this stage. Otherwise I would have."

In the interim order, the Court recorded the submissions made on behalf of Augustine and the State:

"It is submitted that the property from where the contraband was seized was already sold in SARFAESI proceedings in 2022 and he is no longer in possession of the building. However, the learned DGP submitted that even in the year 2026, the applicant has paid taxes. The learned DGP also submitted that police custody application has been moved by the prosecution and tomorrow, the case is posted before the Magistrate Court for production of the accused. The prosecution shall get instructions. Post on Tuesday for hearing."

The case is posted to Tuesday (September 22) for further consideration.

"Suppose this is sold, sale means possession follows. Maybe they might have paid tax, that doesn't mean he is possession of the property," Justice Kauser orally remarked.

The judge also orally questioned why the Director General of Prosecution appeared on behalf of the State in this case. He asked why the DGP was appearing in this particular case when he does not usually appear in the 15 or odd bail applications in the Abkari matter that get posted before the bench every day.

Augustine is arrayed as the accused in a crime registered by the Excise Station, Kalpetta for the offences under Sections 55(a), 55(i) [For illegal import, etc.] and 58 [For possession of illicit liquor] of the Kerala Abkari Act.

It is alleged that he was found to be in possession of 43.850 litres of Foreign Made Foreign Liquor, 1.224 litres of Foreign Made Foreign Wine, 6.250 litres of KSBC wine, 750 ml of Indian Made Foreign Liquor stated to have been purchased from the canteen, and 12.750 litres of liquid containing alcohol. As per law, the maximum

The petition is moved by Advocates M.P. Shameem Ahamed and Mohammed Firdouz A.V.

Case No: Bail Appl. 5439/2026

Case Title: Anto Augustine v. State of Kerala