Kochi, September 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged financial irregularities linked to a proposed Lionel Messi-Argentina football event in Kerala conducted coordinated searches at five locations in Kochi and Wayanad early Wednesday, including the office of Reporter TV.
The searches, carried out under a court order, began in the early hours and covered the Kochi flats of Anto Augustin and Josekutty Augustin, their ancestral house in Wayanad, the Reporter Broadcasting Company’s office in Kochi and the office of GOTAD. SIT personnel reached the locations in multiple vehicles and conducted the searches simultaneously.
The action followed registration of a case at Kalamassery police station over alleged fraud involving the use of Messi’s name. The FIR includes charges of cheating, fraud and criminal conspiracy, with Reporter Broadcasting Company and Anto Augustin named as accused.
The investigation has also flagged alleged tax irregularities involving the broadcasting company. An SIT report submitted earlier this month identified an alleged Rs 25.78 crore tax liability, including IGST reportedly not paid under the reverse charge mechanism on Rs 126.04 crore remitted to the Argentina Football Association through a collection agent.
The search at the Reporter TV office triggered a political controversy. Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan alleged that police entered the newsroom, took journalists’ mobile phones and created an atmosphere of fear for around 90 minutes. He also alleged that journalists were filmed and described the action as an attack on press freedom, comparing it with measures taken during the Emergency and the NewsClick case.
Vijayan demanded an explanation from Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, who also holds the Home portfolio. Meanwhile, Satheesan defended the searches, saying the police action was carried out according to law and that the seizure of journalists’ phones formed part of the investigation.
The SIT investigation is continuing, with officials examining the financial transactions and role of the accused and other entities linked to the proposed football event.
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