Messi fraud probe: SIT searches Reporter TV office, houses in Kerala

Kochi: The Kerala Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Wednesday carried out coordinated searches at five locations in Kochi and Wayanad as part of its probe into alleged financial irregularities linked to a proposed visit by football star Lionel Messi.

The search operation, which began around 4 am, included the Kochi office of Reporter TV, the office of GOTAD company, the flats of brothers Anto Augustin and Josekutty Augustin in Kochi, and their ancestral home in Wayanad.

SIT officials arrived in five vehicles and conducted the searches simultaneously.

The investigation is based on a case registered at Kalamassery police station over alleged fraud involving the use of Messi’s name. The FIR includes charges of cheating, fraud and criminal conspiracy. Reporter Broadcasting Company and Anto Augustin have been named as accused.

The search at the Reporter TV office triggered a political controversy, with Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan accusing the police of intimidating journalists and interfering with the functioning of a news organisation.

Vijayan alleged that police personnel entered the newsroom in the early hours, took away journalists’ mobile phones and kept the staff under pressure for nearly 90 minutes. He further claimed that the journalists were filmed during the operation.

Describing the action as an attack on press freedom, Vijayan compared it to measures adopted during the Emergency and alleged that it resembled action against media organisations in BJP-ruled states and Delhi.

He also referred to the action against NewsClick, claiming that the seizure of equipment and questioning of journalists in that case bore similarities to the operation at Reporter TV.

“Kerala will not accept such an assault aimed at silencing the media,” Vijayan said.

He demanded a public explanation from Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan, who also holds the Home portfolio, over the police action at the media organisation.

The raids are part of a wider probe into the alleged misuse of Messi’s name and suspected financial transactions associated with the case. Investigators are examining the involvement of the accused and other linked entities.

(Inputs from IANS)