Kochi: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in Kochi has registered a money-laundering case against Anto Augustine, the authorised signatory of Reporter Broadcasting Company Private Limited, and the company itself, following the police investigation into alleged financial irregularities tied to a failed attempt to host Lionel Messi and Argentina's national football team in Kerala in 2025, The Hindu reported on Saturday, November 7.

Source: The Hindu

The ED has registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) based on the FIR filed by Kalamassery police on September 15, 2026, on findings of a Special Investigation Team (SIT). According to sources cited in the reporting, the ED is expected to issue a notice to Augustine for questioning under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The registration signals a formal probe into whether funds were allegedly misappropriated or laundered in connection with the failed visit — an allegation, not a finding.

Source: The Hindu

15 Sep 2026Kalamassery police FIR on SIT findings
₹5 crorestadium security deposit the FIR alleges was sought to be waived
23 Novnext High Court hearing on the quash plea

What the FIR alleges

According to the FIR, as reported by LiveLaw, Augustine allegedly entered into a criminal conspiracy around December 20, 2024, when illegal and fake details were allegedly inserted into the agreement signed with the Argentina Football Association, with the alleged intent of cheating the state government and the public. The FIR further alleges that he conspired to gain custody of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kaloor by securing exemption from the ₹5 crore security deposit on September 26, 2025. The Hindu's reporting adds that former Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman is reportedly under scrutiny in the SIT probe for potential wrongdoing under the Prevention of Corruption Act. These are allegations under investigation.

Source: LiveLaw

High Court notice on quash plea

Separately, the Kerala High Court on Friday, November 6, issued notice to the respondents on a plea by Reporter TV Managing Director Anto Augustine seeking to quash the FIR against him in the Argentina football team visit row. Justice P.V. Balakrishnan issued the notice when the matter was taken up, and the case — Anto Augustine v State of Kerala, Crl. MC 9266/2026 — is now posted on November 23 for further consideration.

Source: LiveLaw

The SIT had earlier conducted searches at five locations linked to the Augustine brothers, including their ancestral home in Wayanad, where the Excise Department had previously seized 67 litres of liquor; Augustine was arrested following that seizure and was later granted bail by the Kerala High Court, according to The Hindu's reporting.

Source: The Hindu