Messi event row: Police conduct search at Reporter TV office in Kochi
The team flagged alleged tax evasion of ₹25.78 crore and other irregularities tied to a proposed Messi and Argentina visit to Kerala.
- On Wednesday, the Special Investigation Team led by ADGP P Vijayan launched coordinated raids across Kerala, targeting five locations including the homes of the Augustine brothers and the Reporter Broadcasting Company office in connection with a financial fraud case linked to bringing Lionel Messi to the state.
- Alleged tax evasion totaling ₹25,78,20,675 by Reporter Broadcasting Company Private Limited prompted the SIT investigation, which involves remittances to the Argentina Football Association through Tour Prod Enter LLC.
- Financial documents show RBC allegedly failed to pay RCM IGST on a $1.45 crore remittance to the AFA and five additional foreign payments worth ₹1.90 crore made to overseas legal counsel.
- Condemning the raids, Reporter Broadcasting Company alleged police seized staff phones, while the SIT registered its first FIR in the multi-crore scam shortly after.
- The investigation follows a Detailed Inquiry Report submitted to the State Goods and Services Tax Department, with the SIT led by ADGP P Vijayan supported by Crime Branch and Internal Security officials.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Messi visit SIT probe: police launch searches at five locations
Apart from head office of Reporting Broadcasting Corporation, residences of its managing director Anto Augustine and those of his brothers and co-owners, Roji Augustine and Jose Kutty Augustine, as well as the house of administrative head are being searched
Messi Kerala visit fraud: SIT raids Reporter TV office, residences
Special Investigation Team raids five locations in Kerala regarding a financial fraud case involving Reporter Broadcasting Company and a proposed.Lionel Messi Kerala fraud, Reporter Broadcasting Company raids, financial irregularities Kerala, tax evasion Messi visit, multi-crore scam Kerala, Kerala news investigation, football icon Kerala deal, Augustine brothers probe, Goods and Services Tax evasion, Reverse Charge Mechanism scam, foreign remit…
Kochi: A massive investigation is underway in the state into the scam that took place in the name of bringing Messi to Kerala. SIT is conducting inspections at five locations in the early hours of the morning.
SIT Action in Messi Event Case: Police Arrive at Reporter TV's Office in Kochi, Search Causes Uproar
Major action by SIT in Messi Event Case, police search Reporter TV office in Kochi, investigation intensified into alleged financial irregularities related to 2025 Kerala tour, channel alleges obstruction in news operation.
Keralam Police Storm Reporter TV Newsroom, Disrupting Broadcast
What could be described as police high-handedness and a reminder of emergency days, Keralam cops entered the core newsroom, seized mobile phones belonging to working journalists and technical staff, and temporarily disrupted operations under the premise of an ongoing inspection.
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