Kerala Messi fraud case: SIT raids multiple locations linked to Reporter TV in Kochi, Wayanad

Kochi: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged fraud in the name of football superstar Lionel Messi conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations in Kerala’s Kochi and Wayanad early Wednesday, including the office of Reporter TV, triggering a sharp political confrontation over the police action against the media organisation.

The searches began around 4 a.m. and were carried out at the Kochi flats of Anto Augustin and Josekutty Augustin, their ancestral house in Wayanad, the Reporter TV office in Kochi and the office of GOTAD company.

The police SIT reached the locations in five vehicles and conducted searches simultaneously.

The police have registered a case at the Kalamassery police station in connection with the alleged fraud involving Messi’s name.

The FIR invokes charges including cheating, fraud and criminal conspiracy.

Reporter Broadcasting Company and Anto Augustin have been named as the accused.

The search at the Reporter TV office, however, became the immediate focus of a political controversy, with Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan strongly condemning the police action and alleging that the operation disrupted news broadcasting.

In a statement, Vijayan alleged that a group of policemen entered the news desk at the Kochi office in the early hours, forcibly took away journalists’ mobile phones and created an atmosphere of terror for nearly one-and-a-half hours.

He also alleged that the police filmed the journalists.

Vijayan described the action as reminiscent of the Emergency and alleged that what had happened in Kerala was similar to attacks on media organisations in BJP-ruled states and Delhi.

He also drew a comparison to the action against NewsClick, alleging that the seizure of equipment and action against journalists in that case were similar to what had happened at Reporter TV.

“Kerala will not accept such an assault aimed at silencing the media,” Vijayan said, while strongly condemning what he described as an attack on media freedom.

He demanded an explanation from Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, who also holds the Home portfolio, saying the CM and state Home Minister should answer for the police action against the media.

The SIT raids form part of the investigation into the alleged misuse of Messi’s name.

The simultaneous searches at the residences and offices of those linked to the case indicate that investigators are examining multiple aspects of the alleged financial transactions and the role of the accused and associated entities.

IANS