Kerala liquor case: Anto Augustine's mother-in-law seeks anticipatory bail in Kalpetta court
Synopsis
The Kerala liquor seizure case tied to an alleged Messi-visit fraud has taken a new turn: Lilly Jose, mother-in-law of Reporter Broadcasting MD Anto Augustine, has sought anticipatory bail after Excise officials arrived at her home to serve a questioning notice — and found it locked. With ownership of the seized property fiercely disputed in court, her 7 October hearing could reshape the investigation's direction.
Key Takeaways
Lilly Jose , mother-in-law of Reporter Broadcasting MD Anto Augustine , has filed an anticipatory bail plea before the Kalpetta Sessions Court ; hearing scheduled for 7 October 2026 .
Excise officials visited her residence at Koliyadi, Sulthan Bathery to serve a questioning notice but could not locate her.
About 67 litres of liquor and wine were seized from the Vazhavatta property in Wayanad during a probe into an alleged Lionel Messi -visit fraud.
The defence claims Lilly Jose purchased the property for ₹2.10 crore ; the prosecution disputes this, citing revenue records that still list Anto Augustine as owner.
Building tax of ₹8,068 was paid in Anto's name to Muttal Panchayat on 18 March 2026 , bolstering the prosecution's ownership claim.
Anto Augustine was arrested, remanded for four days , and later released on bail under Sections 55(i), 55(a) and 58 of the Abkari Act.
Lilly Jose, mother-in-law of Reporter Broadcasting Managing Director Anto Augustine, has moved the Kalpetta Sessions Court seeking anticipatory bail in the excise case stemming from the seizure of a large stock of liquor from a house at Vazhavatta in Wayanad, Kerala. The petition, filed in anticipation of arrest during Excise Department questioning, is scheduled to be heard on 7 October 2026.
Background: The Liquor Seizure
The case traces back to a search conducted by a special investigation team at the Vazhavatta property as part of a probe into an alleged fraud linked to a promise to bring Argentine football star Lionel Messi to Kerala. During the raid, Excise officials recovered approximately 67 litres of liquor and wine — comprising more than 43 litres of foreign-made liquor, about 4.8 litres of foreign-made wine, 5.5 litres of Kerala-made liquor, and 860 ml of military liquor.
An Abkari case was subsequently registered under Sections 55(i), 55(a) and 58 of the Abkari Act. Anto Augustine was arrested, remanded for four days, and later released on bail.
Why Lilly Jose Is Now in the Crosshairs
Excise officials visited Lilly Jose's residence at Koliyadi in Sulthan Bathery to serve her a notice for questioning, but found the house locked and could not locate her. Her anticipatory bail plea comes directly in response to that summons, with her legal team apparently apprehending imminent arrest.
The investigation's focus shifted to Lilly after Anto's defence claimed before the Sulthan Bathery Magistrate's Court and the Kerala High Court that the Vazhavatta property does not belong to him. His lawyers contended that the property — attached by the State Bank of India in 2022 — was subsequently purchased by Lilly Jose for ₹2.10 crore.
Disputed Ownership: What Each Side Claims
The prosecution has contested the defence's ownership narrative. Authorities told the court that the defence could produce only a purchase certificate — not a registered sale deed transferring ownership to Lilly Jose. Revenue records, according to the prosecution, continue to show Anto Augustine as the owner of the property.
Notably, a receipt confirmed that building tax of ₹8,068 was paid in Anto's name to Muttal Panchayat on 18 March 2026. A certificate issued by the panchayat secretary on 17 September — the day of Anto's arrest — also reportedly listed him as owner. Investigators have additionally collected digital evidence of celebrations and gatherings allegedly held by Anto Augustine and his relatives at the disputed property.
What the Excise Department Seeks
The Excise Department intends to directly question Lilly Jose to establish the true ownership and possession of the Vazhavatta house. The outcome of the ownership dispute is central to the prosecution's case, as establishing who controlled the property at the time of the seizure determines culpability under the Abkari Act.
The Kalpetta Sessions Court will take up Lilly Jose's anticipatory bail petition on 7 October 2026, a hearing that is expected to shape the next phase of the investigation.
Point of View
Not a registered deed — suggests the property title question is far from settled. What is striking is that this case originated not from a routine excise check but from a special investigation into an alleged celebrity-appearance fraud, raising questions about how deep the investigative thread runs. The anticipatory bail hearing on 7 October will be a critical test of whether the Excise Department can sustain its expanded probe beyond the principal accused.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Lilly Jose approached the Kalpetta Sessions Court?
Lilly Jose has sought anticipatory bail from the Kalpetta Sessions Court because she fears arrest during questioning by the Excise Department in connection with the liquor seizure case at Vazhavatta, Wayanad. Excise officials had visited her home in Sulthan Bathery to serve a notice but could not find her.
What is the Kerala liquor seizure case involving Anto Augustine?
The case involves the recovery of about 67 litres of liquor and wine from a house at Vazhavatta in Wayanad during a probe into an alleged fraud related to a promise to bring footballer Lionel Messi to Kerala. Anto Augustine, Managing Director of Reporter Broadcasting, was arrested and later released on bail under the Abkari Act.
What is disputed about the ownership of the Vazhavatta property?
Anto Augustine's defence claims Lilly Jose purchased the property for ₹2.10 crore after it was attached by the State Bank of India in 2022. The prosecution disputes this, saying the defence produced only a purchase certificate — not a registered sale deed — and that revenue records along with a panchayat certificate still list Anto as the owner.
When will the anticipatory bail petition be heard?
The Kalpetta Sessions Court is scheduled to hear Lilly Jose's anticipatory bail petition on 7 October 2026.
What sections of the Abkari Act were invoked in the case?
The Excise Department registered the case under Sections 55(i), 55(a) and 58 of the Abkari Act following the recovery of approximately 67 litres of liquor and wine from the Vazhavatta property.
