Thiruvananthapuram, August 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Kerala GST Department has issued charge memos to three officials over alleged lapses in handling tax evasion detected in connection with the controversial 2025 Reporter Broadcasting Company agreement linked to bringing the Argentina football team to Kerala, with nearly Rs 22 crore in tax reportedly found payable.
The charge memos were issued by the GST Commissioner as part of departmental proceedings examining whether the officials failed to take effective steps to recover the tax after the alleged irregularity was detected. An Intelligence Officer attached to the department’s Kanhangad office is among those facing action.
The GST Department had earlier identified irregularities in financial transactions undertaken by Reporter Broadcasting Company in connection with arrangements for the Argentina team’s proposed visit to Kerala. According to the department’s assessment, tax due on funds transferred by the sponsor had not been collected.
The tax liability was estimated at around Rs 22 crore, placing the transaction among the significant tax-evasion cases examined by the department.
The alleged tax evasion was detected during the tenure of the Pinarayi Vijayan government. However, findings now under departmental examination indicate that stringent measures were allegedly not taken at the time to ensure recovery of the amount due.
The proceedings against the three officials are expected to examine whether there were deliberate lapses or failures in the discharge of their responsibilities after the tax irregularity came to light. The enquiry will also look into why recovery proceedings were not initiated effectively to realise the substantial amount payable to the state exchequer.
The Argentina football team deal had attracted widespread attention after Reporter Broadcasting Company entered into arrangements associated with bringing the reigning world champions to Kerala.
The financial transactions connected with the proposed visit subsequently came under the GST Department’s scrutiny. The latest departmental action has renewed focus on how the tax-evasion finding was handled and why recovery of the amount was allegedly delayed.
The issuance of charge memos marks a significant stage in the departmental enquiry. However, responsibility for the alleged lapses and the reasons behind the failure to recover the tax will be established only after the proceedings are completed.
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