THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V D Satheesan has directed the home department to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the allegations surrounding the failed proposal to bring Argentine footballer Lionel Messi and his team to Kerala. The decision followed a review of reports filed by the GST and sports departments.
The home department is yet to announce the composition of the SIT, but sources said officers from the vigilance and anti-corruption bureau, crime branch and local police will be a part of it.
Messi row: Spl probe team unlikely to look into foreign currency exchange
The SIT of the GST department had reported irregularities in inward and outward fund flows in the bank accounts of a private broadcasting company, the event’s sponsor. It had also raised doubts about the source of funds running to about Rs 200 crore received from two financial institutions.
The department had flagged that IGST liability, which comes to the tune of Rs 22.68 crore, remained unpaid. The sponsor had transferred Rs 126 crore to an account registered outside India in connection with its unsuccessful bid to bring Messi to Kerala.
The rule stipulates that outward remittance to any foreign entity should be considered as interstate supply and IGST of 18% should be charged.
Meanwhile, the sports department had flagged other irregularities in its preliminary investigation into the footballer’s visit.
In its report, the department had alleged procedural lapses in according government sanction for the proposal despite it lacking a detailed project report.
It also questioned the selection of the sponsor and flagged alleged violation of the established procedures in purchases and store manual.
The SIT is unlikely to handle matters related to exchange of foreign currency and tax-related matters as the enforcement directorate has already registered a case in connection with it.