2 days ago
Kerala Orders SIT Probe Into Alleged Messi Visit Irregularities
Kerala officials planned to bring footballer Lionel Messi and his team to the state.
Questions have now been raised about how large amounts of money connected to the plan were transferred.
The Kerala chief minister has ordered a Special Investigation Team, or SIT, to examine the matter.
The team will include senior officials from the police, Vigilance and other agencies.
One investigation concerns a reported transfer of Rs 126 crore to the Argentine Football Association.
Another Rs 206 crore was reportedly transferred to a company, but officials say its source is unclear.
The Enforcement Directorate is also checking whether foreign-exchange and money-laundering rules were broken.
Officials are expected to question people connected with the transactions.
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan ordered the Home Department to form an SIT.
The probe will examine alleged multi-crore financial irregularities linked to plans to bring Lionel Messi and his team to Kerala.
The GST Department reportedly identified the transfer of Rs 126 crore to the Argentine Football Association through sponsors and a US agency.
An additional Rs 206 crore was transferred to Reporter Broadcasting Limited, with its financial source reportedly unclear.
The Enforcement Directorate is investigating possible FEMA violations and money laundering under PMLA provisions.
- Who
- Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan ordered the probe; the SIT, police, Vigilance, GST Department and Enforcement Directorate are involved.
- What
- An SIT will investigate alleged financial irregularities related to plans to bring Lionel Messi and his team to Kerala.
- Where
- The alleged transactions involved Kerala, transfers to the Argentine Football Association and money sent abroad.
- When
- The order followed reviews of reports from the Sports Department secretary and GST Department; the Enforcement Directorate has already begun its investigation.
- Why
- The probe concerns reported GST evasion, unclear funding, possible violations of foreign-exchange rules and suspected money laundering.
Key facts
- SIT
- A Special Investigation Team will be formed under the Home Department.
- Reported transfer to AFA
- Rs 126 crore was reportedly transferred to the Argentine Football Association through Reporter Broadcasting Limited and a US agency.
- Additional transfer
- Rs 206 crore was reportedly transferred to Reporter Broadcasting Limited from two financial institutions.
- Funding concern
- The GST Department reportedly found no clarity about the financial source of the Rs 206 crore.
- ED investigation
- The Enforcement Directorate is examining possible violations of FEMA and possible money-laundering transactions under PMLA.
- Next steps
- The ED is expected to summon concerned individuals, while the state investigation will advance after the SIT's official constitution.
Sources
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