9 hrs ago
Kerala Police Search Reporter TV in Messi Event Probe
Police searched the Kochi office of Reporter TV.
The government says this was part of a legal investigation.
The investigation concerns a planned visit by Lionel Messi and Argentina’s football team that did not happen.
It also examines the sponsorship and money arrangements for that event.
Officials are investigating allegations of GST fraud.
A Special Investigation Team is handling the case.
Reporter TV said the search interrupted its news work and that phones were taken.
Police said the channel’s staff did not cooperate with the search.
The government said it would not interfere in the investigation.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the Reporter TV search was part of a legally conducted police investigation.
The probe examines the failed Messi and Argentina team visit, RBC’s sponsorship, financial transactions and alleged GST fraud.
A Special Investigation Team headed by the law-and-order ADGP registered an FIR and conducted searches with warrants.
Reporter TV alleged that the search disrupted news operations and that police took employees’ mobile phones.
Police said the channel’s personnel had not cooperated with the search, while Satheesan said the government would not intervene.
- Who
- Kerala police, a Special Investigation Team, Reporter TV, Reporter Broadcasting Company, and Chief Minister V D Satheesan are involved; Pinarayi Vijayan criticized the police action.
- What
- Police searched Reporter TV’s Kochi office as part of an investigation into a failed Argentina football event and alleged GST fraud.
- Where
- Reporter TV’s headquarters in Kochi, Kerala.
- When
- The search occurred hours before Satheesan’s press conference on Wednesday, September 16.
- Why
- The investigation is examining RBC’s sponsorship of the proposed Messi visit, its financial transactions and related allegations of irregularities and GST fraud.
Government and Police Position
Reporter TV and Critics’ Position
Legality of the search
Government and Police Position
Satheesan said the searches were legally conducted with warrants as part of an independent police investigation.
Reporter TV and Critics’ Position
Reporter TV alleged that the police action disrupted its news operations.
Seized mobile phones
Government and Police Position
Satheesan said the action was part of the investigation; the police did not directly confirm the alleged seizure in the report.
Reporter TV and Critics’ Position
The channel claimed police took the mobile phones of journalists and other employees.
Cooperation during the search
Government and Police Position
The Assistant Commissioner of Police leading the search said channel personnel had not cooperated with investigators.
Reporter TV and Critics’ Position
The channel’s management alleged misconduct and disruption during the newsroom search.
Political response
Government and Police Position
Satheesan criticized Pinarayi Vijayan for condemning the police action and said similar actions had occurred at media organizations during Vijayan’s tenure.
Reporter TV and Critics’ Position
Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the police action against the channel.
Key facts
- Organization searched
- Reporter TV’s Kochi headquarters
- Investigation agency
- A Special Investigation Team headed by the ADGP in charge of law and order
- Legal action
- An FIR was registered and searches were conducted with warrants, according to Satheesan
- Event under scrutiny
- The proposed visit of Lionel Messi and the Argentina football team to Kerala
- Sponsor under scrutiny
- Reporter Broadcasting Company, described as the event’s private commercial sponsor
- Tax issue
- The GST Department’s preliminary investigation reportedly found GST fraud
- Government position
- Satheesan said the government would not intervene in the police investigation
Quotes
V D Satheesan
Kerala Chief Minister who addressed the police search and related investigation
“The raid is part of a legally conducted police investigation. The government will not intervene in it. The government does not want to intervene in any manner.”
theprint.in
Sources
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