Kerala has ordered an SIT probe into alleged GST non-payment linked to the Argentina football team's reported Kerala visit, with financial transactions involving Reporter Broadcasting Company under scrutiny.
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has formed a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine allegations of GST non-payment and financial irregularities linked to the reported visit of Lionel Messi and the Argentina football team to the state.
SIT to examine financial transactions
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The probe follows a report submitted by Sports Department Secretary N. Prasanth. The five-member team will be led by GST Deputy Commissioner C. Brijesh.
The investigation will focus on allegations involving Reporter Broadcasting Company and examine financial transactions and bank accounts connected with the event.
The SIT has also been authorised to summon and inspect documents held by other government departments as part of the investigation.
₹216 crore foreign transaction under scrutiny
According to the allegations, ₹216 crore was transferred abroad in connection with the event, with a demand for ₹22.68 crore in GST reportedly raised by the GST authorities.
The investigation will examine whether GST was payable on the transactions and whether there was any loss of revenue to the state.
The SIT will also look into the source of capital and registration details of Reporter Broadcasting Company.
Earlier GST case to be re-examined
The Kanhangad GST Intelligence Office had previously registered a case concerning the alleged tax liability.
According to the report, further action in the matter was halted after the officer who registered the case was transferred.
The UDF government has now decided to re-examine the matter. Company chairman Anto Augustine has also reportedly given a statement before the Kanhangad GST office.
Why the probe matters
The investigation follows concerns raised in the Sports Department report over whether government resources were used in a way that benefited a private company while the state may have suffered a GST revenue loss.
The SIT's task will be to establish the nature of the financial transactions, determine the applicable tax liability and examine whether any rules were violated.
The formation of the team does not by itself establish GST evasion or financial wrongdoing. Those issues will have to be determined through the investigation.
Published: 16 Aug 2026, 06:47 am IST
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