Messi scam: SIT’s preliminary finding points to Abdurahiman’s role

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has reached a preliminary finding that V. Abdurahiman, while serving as Sports Minister, aided the financial fraud related to efforts to bring football star Lionel Messi to Kerala. The team has found that serious violations of rules were committed in the matter, and a new report is expected to be handed over to the Director General of Police (DGP) soon. Abdurahiman may be named as an accused in the case. The SIT is also examining whether D. Sathyapalan, who served as the former minister’s private secretary, should be made an accused, SIT officials indicated. Sathyapalan has also been questioned by the team.

The former minister was questioned for several hours in Malappuram the other day by an SIT team led by SP P. Vikraman. Abdurahiman tried to explain during the questioning that he had not violated any rules. The SIT says documents obtained in the investigation indicate that Abdurahiman and his office took steps bypassing the Finance Department while he was Sports Minister. Sponsorship rights were given to Reporter Broadcasting Company without inviting a tender. The former minister could not provide a precise explanation regarding the matter, it is said.

Abdurahiman’s response was that the action was taken as part of a collective decision of the previous government. The SIT will now examine whether the matter had been considered by the Cabinet. The investigation team will also examine allegations that Abdurahiman intervened to have a stadium allotted without authorisation to Anto Augustin, the prime accused in the case.