Messi fraud; Recommendation to register case under prevention of corruption act, Anto Augustine to be arraigned

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has made a fresh recommendation to register a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act in the multi-crore fraud conducted in the name of bringing Lionel Messi to Kerala. The report found that Reporter Broadcasting Company, the main sponsor, conspired to gain financial benefits. It also found that the company’s managing director, Anto Augustine, misled authorities and entered into an agreement.

Anto Augustine and officials who allegedly colluded with him could face charges in the corruption case. The SIT has also recommended investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and Customs. The SIT report recommends sending letters to central agencies seeking further investigation. The SIT will hand over its preliminary report to the state police chief today.

A case has already been registered at the Kalamassery Police Station under charges of cheating and criminal conspiracy. The SIT report says that there is substantial evidence to invoke provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. It has recommended adding the relevant provisions to the existing FIR rather than registering a separate corruption case.

The SIT report also points to evidence that official mechanisms were allegedly misused to provide an unauthorized financial benefit to a private individual. The agreement was signed without government permission, and it was stated in the contract that it was a government-partnered project. It also specified that the government would bear expenses including hospitality costs.

The report further states that publicity surrounding Messi’s proposed visit increased the company’s brand value, allegedly resulting in an unauthorized financial benefit.