Kochi: Anto Augustine, managing director of Malayalam news channel Reporter TV, has approached the high court seeking to quash an FIR registered against him over alleged financial misappropriation in connection with an unsuccessful attempt to bring the Argentine national football team and its former captain Lionel Messi to Kochi.
A bench of Justice P V Balakrishnan on Friday issued notice to the state govt on the petition and sought its instructions by Nov 23. Augustine entered into a criminal conspiracy on Dec 20, 2024, by incorporating allegedly false and fabricated details into an agreement signed with the Argentina Football Association, with the intention of cheating the state govt and the public, according to the FIR. The FIR further alleged that he conspired to secure custody of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kaloor by obtaining an exemption from the requirement to furnish a security deposit of Rs 5 crore on Sept 26, 2025.
The FIR was registered at Kalamassery police station and is being investigated by a special investigation team (SIT). The case relates to alleged financial irregularities in connection with plans to organise an international football match in Kochi featuring the Argentine national team and Messi.