I managed to run autobotchk properly but I still don't know how to make botch work without using the autobotchk. Though, the problem is sloved.
I had to change the file permissions for autobotchk 'chmod u+x autobotchk'.
well quite obviously you DIDN'T edit the botchk for your bot properly, otherwise you would not get that error. compare the botchk file autbotochk generated and the one you... messed up :]