Full Breakdown
Police Raids on Reporter TV Linked to Failed Messi Event Probe
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Police Search Operations at Reporter TV and Related Sites
In the early hours of September 16, 2026, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kerala police conducted coordinated searches at five locations in Kochi and Wayanad, including the headquarters of Reporter Broadcasting Corporation (RBC) in Kalamassery, which houses Reporter TV. Police seized journalists’ mobile phones and entered the newsroom while the channel was on air. The operation was carried out under a court-issued warrant as part of a probe into alleged financial misappropriation and tax evasion tied to a failed plan to bring Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team to Kochi.
Background & Context: Failed Messi-Argentina Exhibition Plan
The proposal to host the Argentina team and Messi collapsed, and the SIT later linked the failure to alleged irregularities in agreements and payments.
Timeline
- December 20, 2024 – FIR alleges “illegal and fake” details were inserted into the agreement with the Argentina Football Association (AFA).
- September 15, 2026 – Police register an FIR charging Anto Augustine, the RBC entity, and others with cheating, criminal conspiracy, and tax violations.
- September 16, 2026 – Raids commence at five locations, including the Reporter TV newsroom.
- September 7, 2026 – GST inquiry cites a tax liability of Rs 25.78 crore, with Rs 22.68 crore attributed to IGST under reverse charge on payments to the AFA.
Data & Statistics
- Alleged tax liability: Rs 25.78 crore.
- IGST component: Rs 22.68 crore.
- Transfer to the AFA: Rs 126.04 crore.
- Security-deposit exemption sought: INR5 crore.
Official Statements & Responses
Assistant Commissioner of Police C.K. Bijoy Chandran said officers arrived with a court warrant, attempted to serve notice to the administrative office, and were refused receipt.
ADGP P. Vijayan, leading the SIT, said a preliminary inquiry found “prima facie grounds” for the offences and that searches were based on a magistrate’s warrant. He added that digital evidence is still pending review.
Police representatives asserted that the operation complied with legal orders and denied any intent to hinder journalistic work.
Criticism & Opposition
Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the raid as an “attack on media freedom,” likening it to the Emergency era and urging the Chief Minister and Home Minister to respond.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We came here armed with the court’s search warrant.” — Bijoy Chandran
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Reporter TV claimed police remained inside the newsroom for about one and a half hours, seized personal phones and disrupted the broadcast. Police statements emphasized compliance with the warrant and denied intent to interfere with news operations. The FIR accuses Augustine and RBC of falsifying the AFA agreement and evading taxes, while Augustine says the SIT has not formally questioned him about the Messi matter. No detailed police response to the channel’s specific allegations was provided in the available sources.
What’s Next
The SIT’s investigation continues, with authorities indicating that digital evidence will be examined and further inquiries may follow based on the findings of the current search operations.