Anto Augustine skips police questioning in case over Keralam CM marriage remarks, approaches HC for quashing FIR

Reporter TV's managing director, Anto Augustine, failed to show up for police questioning on Monday (September 28, 2026) regarding a controversial remark he made about Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s potential second marriage. Augustine informed the police of his inability to attend due to inconveniences, requesting additional time, according to his legal counsel.

Augustine subsequently filed a petition with the Kerala High Court to have the FIR registered against him nullified, following a complaint lodged by Congress spokesperson Raju P. Nair. The lawyer representing Augustine argued that the police cannot initiate a case over alleged defamation, and that the complaint was not filed by the supposed affected party.

Augustine had been scheduled to appear at the Kalamassery police station at 10 a.m. on Monday. The police had previously recorded the statement of Raju P. Nair last week. The case has been filed against Augustine and two unidentified individuals. The allegations stem from Augustine's claim that two people approached him with a journalistic scoop regarding Satheesan's alleged second marriage.

However, Augustine stated that his channel did not air the news after his team could not verify the claim. Nair expressed suspicion about the context in which Augustine made the revelation, prompting a probe into potential conspiracy. The police have registered charges against Augustine and the two unnamed individuals under various sections, including conspiracy, forgery, and criminal defamation.