Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan said an investigation by the state Sports Department into the Messi controversy has found serious lapses.

Satheesan said the previous government had itself detected GST evasion in the deal and issued a notice, but the probe had remained stalled for the past seven months. He said the government would separately examine the delay in the investigation and take steps to recover any financial loss suffered by the state.

There were irregularities in the selection of the sponsor for the project, the chief minister said. According to the findings, the sponsors were selected without inviting expressions of interest.

Satheesan said it was also unclear how much the state government knew about various aspects of the deal, noting that contradictory statements had emerged. These would be examined as part of the probe, he said.

Also read | Let them investigate… It will not affect us: Pinarayi Vijayan on Messi Kerala visit row

The government will also look into the state's exact role in the deal, whether its interests were protected and the source of funds for the project, Satheesan said.

The chief minister assured that appropriate action would be taken against those responsible for the lapses.

A final decision on whether the case should be handed over to central investigating agencies will be taken only after the preliminary investigation is completed, he said.

The investigation will also examine whether any private agencies misused or exploited the government in connection with the project, Satheesan added.

Satheesan says he knew drug case accused

VD Satheesan responded to allegations linking him to those arrested in an MDMA case in Kasaragod, saying he knew the accused personally but was unaware of their alleged drug dealings until their arrest.

Satheesan said he knew Muhammad Hussain and Abdul Salam, who were arrested in the case. He said he first called Hussain after he was allegedly assaulted by police.

Hussain, a Youth Congress worker, was injured in a police lathi charge outside MGM School in Kuruppampady, Perumbavoor, during the Nava Kerala Sadas. Satheesan said he called Hussain to offer support, as he had done with other workers who were injured in the incident.

Satheesan subsequently visited Hussain's house during an event in Vengola panchayat, following instructions from the MLA and party office-bearers. He said he had made a commitment to visit earlier and therefore kept his word.

Satheesan said Hussain later met him three or four times at different places, but the interaction was only in the context of Hussain being a party worker who had allegedly suffered police assault.

Meanwhile, Satheesan also rejected allegations that Hussain handled his social media accounts.

“I do not have a social media team or coordinator,” Satheesan said, adding that he did not have one even when he was the Leader of the Opposition.

He said he could not be held responsible for individuals being members of different groups. Satheesan added that neither party workers nor the public were aware of the alleged drug links of those arrested.