Kerala Governor Om Prakash Mathur on Thursday granted sanction to proceed against former Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman under the Prevention of Corruption Act in the alleged corruption case linked to the proposed visit of Lionel Messi and the Argentina national football team to Kerala, The Hindu reported.

Source: The Hindu

The sanction, granted by the Governor's office, Lok Bhavan, was based on a request submitted by the Chief Minister on October 16, and follows a preliminary report by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged irregularities in the planned visit, which was to have been sponsored by Reporter Broadcasting Company (RBC).

The SIT, headed by Additional Director General of Police P. Vijayan, submitted its preliminary report to the state government on November 5, recommending that cases be registered against five accused, including the former minister, Madhyamam reported.

Source: Madhyamam Online

Besides Abdurahiman, the SIT has recommended action against his former private secretary C. Sathyapalan, former Kerala Sports Council president U. Sharaf Ali, Reporter Broadcasting Company and its owner Anto Augustine. The state government has already approved action against Sathyapalan and Sharaf Ali.

Sanction builds on the ED case registered on November 7

The Governor's sanction is the latest major development in a case that has widened through the autumn. The Enforcement Directorate's Kochi unit on November 7 registered a money-laundering case against Anto Augustine and Reporter Broadcasting Company over alleged financial irregularities tied to the failed Messi visit, following an earlier police first information report registered on September 15 on the SIT's findings.

According to the SIT, Abdurahiman allegedly misused his ministerial position to benefit Reporter Broadcasting Company, the sponsor that had come forward for Argentina's proposed visit. These are allegations under investigation and have not been proved. Abdurahiman has denied any wrongdoing, saying all efforts to bring Messi and the Argentine team to Kerala were made in good faith.

Source: Daily Kiran

With the Governor's sanction now in place, investigators can proceed to register and pursue the corruption case against the former minister. Further action against the other accused named in the SIT report is awaited.