Keralam Governor gives nod to prosecute V. Abdurahiman over alleged irregularities in Messi event case

Keralam Governor Om Prakash Mathur on Thursday granted sanction to prosecute former Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman under the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with alleged irregularities surrounding the proposed visit of football great Lionel Messi and the Argentina national football team to Keralam.

Lok Bhavan’s decision is based on a request submitted by the Chief Minister on October 16. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Additional Director General of Police P. Vijayan had earlier submitted a preliminary report to the government.

According to the SIT’s findings, Mr. Abdurahiman allegedly misused his official position and intervened improperly to provide undue financial benefits to the event’s sponsor, Reporter Broadcasting Company (RBC).

The investigation reportedly found serious violations of procedures, including in the tendering process and the award of the sponsorship contract. Besides purportedly causing financial loss to the State government, the alleged crime also involved the alleged misuse of official documents and financial irregularities involving crores of rupees and suspected violations of GST norms.

The SIT recommended registering cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act against five individuals and entities, including the former minister, his former private secretary C. Sathyapalan, former Kerala State Sports Council president U. Sharafali, and RBC and its owner, Anto Augustine.

Since the allegations concern decisions and actions allegedly taken by Mr. Abdurahiman while serving as a Minister, the government had received legal advice to obtain the Governor’s sanction before proceeding with a corruption case against him.

The former Minister, who had been questioned by the SIT, had denied any wrongdoing and maintained that his involvement was merely aimed at facilitating the proposed visit of the Argentina team to Keralam.