Archive · 14 Aug 2026
BJP Demands CBI Probe Into Alleged Kerala Messi Event Fraud
A very famous football player named Lionel Messi was supposed to visit a place called Kerala in India.
The visit was planned to happen in 2025, but it never happened.
After that, some people said there was cheating and money problems connected to the event.
They also said that taxes that should have been paid were not paid.
A political group called the BJP asked a big investigation team called the CBI to look into what happened.
The BJP also said the event had connections to another country, Argentina.
Someone who used to be in charge of money for the state was asked questions about the taxes.
He said he did not have the papers to answer the questions and that other officials might know more.
The leaders are still arguing about who should investigate the problem.
BJP demanded a CBI probe into alleged fraud tied to the planned 2025 Lionel Messi event in Kerala, which never took place.
State BJP general secretary S. Suresh alleged financial irregularities and international dimensions involving Argentina and embassies.
Suresh claimed the state government's name was misused and demanded a comprehensive probe into the event's financial transactions.
He also sought criminal cases over alleged GST evasion and claimed the event's intermediary faced around 19 cases, including cheating.
Former Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal declined to answer questions on alleged GST dues, saying he had no papers and officials might know more.
- Who
- BJP state general secretary S. Suresh, the Kerala government under V.D. Satheesan, former Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal (CPI-M), and football superstar Lionel Messi.
- What
- A demand for a CBI investigation into alleged fraud, GST evasion, and financial irregularities linked to the planned 2025 Lionel Messi event in Kerala that never occurred.
- When
- August 14 (Friday); the Messi event was planned for 2025.
- Where
- Kerala, India, with alleged international dimensions involving Argentina and embassies.
- Why
- Because of alleged financial irregularities, GST evasion, and fraud connected to the failed Messi event.
BJP (Opposition)
LDF/CPI-M (Former Government)
Investigation into Messi event fraud
BJP (Opposition)
BJP demands a CBI probe, citing fraud, financial irregularities, international dimensions, and misuse of the state government's name.
LDF/CPI-M (Former Government)
Former Finance Minister Balagopal declined to answer GST questions, saying he had no papers and that officials might know more.
GST dues on the event sponsor
BJP (Opposition)
BJP says GST was evaded and demands criminal cases and arrests of those responsible.
LDF/CPI-M (Former Government)
Balagopal said he did not have any papers on the matter and suggested officials might know more.
- Event
- Planned visit of Lionel Messi to Kerala in 2025 that did not take place
- Probe Demanded
- CBI investigation into alleged fraud and financial irregularities
- Allegations
- Fraud, GST evasion, international dimensions involving Argentina and embassies
- Demanded By
- BJP state general secretary S. Suresh
- Government
- Kerala state government led by V.D. Satheesan
- Former Finance Minister
- K.N. Balagopal (CPI-M), served 2021-2026
- Media Involved
- Reporter TV and its owners
- Date
- August 14 (Friday)