Anto Augustine to remain in custody as Kerala High Court denies him bail in alcohol possession case

Anto Augustine, managing editor of Reporter TV, who was arrested by excise officials on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) for possessing alcohol beyond permissible limits, will remain in custody at least till September 22 with the Kerala High Court refusing him bail on Friday.

Justice Kauser Edappagath, the single judge who considered the appeal preferred by Mr. Augustine against the order of the Judicial First Class Magistrate-I, Sulthan Bathery, denying him bail, posted the case for Tuesday (September 22).

Though his counsel contended that the house from which the excise officials had seized the alcohol was already sold as per SARFAESI Act proceedings in 2022 and he was no longer in possession of the building, T. Asaf Ali, Director General of Prosecution, informed the court that Mr. Augustine had paid tax for the building in March 2026.