Messi event row: Investigation into Rs 22 crore tax evasion soon, sponsor to be summoned

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government will investigate the tax evasion of crores done in the guise of the event planned for Lionel Messi. This will be the first case to be considered by the special team formed to investigate GST evasion during the previous government's time.

The sponsor, Reporter Broadcasting Company, claims that Rs 126 crore was handed over to the Argentine Football Association to bring Messi and his squad to Kerala. GST of Rs 22.68 crore is payable on this. The GST department detected the evasion in June last year itself, but no action was taken. The government-level interventions to protect the sponsor will also be examined.

The statement of the Kanhangad GST Intelligence Officer, who handled the case earlier, will be taken. The sponsor will be summoned and questioned. The SIT will be headed by GST Deputy Commissioner Brijesh. The team consists of a State Tax Officer and three Assistant Tax Officers.

The company ‘Tour Prod Enter’, which was hired by sponsors to bring Messi, is facing multiple investigations into money laundering. The central agency may investigate their dealings in the Messi case.