Messi event fraud case: Former minister V Abdurahiman questioned by SIT

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) questioned former sports minister V. Abdurahiman in connection with the financial fraud case involving an alleged attempt to bring football star Lionel Messi to Kerala. The questioning, held yesterday, lasted around four hours. The SIT recorded the former minister’s statement on matters including his foreign trip, the selection of the sponsor and the involvement of the minister’s office in the process.

The SIT had conducted searches the previous day at the residence of key accused Anto Augustin and the offices of Reporter Broadcasting Company. The questioning of the former minister was based on documents seized during the searches and a questionnaire prepared by the investigation team.

The SIT had found that Abdurahiman had unlawfully intervened in the allotment of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi to Anto Augustin and provided him undue assistance. He has also been accused of misusing government machinery to facilitate financial gains for Anto by creating the impression that Messi would visit Kerala. The SIT is learnt to have questioned the former minister about these aspects as well.