The investigation into an alleged Abkari violation began when a Special Investigation Team found a cache of illicit liquor at Anto Augustine's ancestral house in Wayanad on September 17.
Augustine, who runs Reporter Broadcasting Company, disputes ownership of the property, claiming it was sold in 2022 under SARFAESI proceedings, though the Director General of Prosecution says the land revenue records still list him as owner.
Justice Kauser Edappagath ordered his release on a Rs 1 lakh bond, with two sureties, and imposed strict conditions: appearance between 10 and 11 a.m. on Saturdays, prohibition on tampering evidence, and a ban on leaving the state without court permission.
His earlier bail petition was dismissed by the vigilance court last Friday after the court noted the seriousness of the ownership dispute.
The court will now monitor compliance with the conditions, and the SIT will continue its probe into the liquor seizure and the alleged irregularities surrounding the failed football event sponsorship.