Thiruvananthapuram, Sept 3 (PTI) The Keralam Home Department on Thursday constituted a SIT headed by ADGP P Vijayan to comprehensively investigate all aspects related to the proposed visit of the Argentina National Football Team led by star Lionel Messi to the state and arrangements connected with the event during the previous LDF government regime, officials said.
The order issued by the Home Department said an enquiry report submitted by the Special Secretary, Sports Department, contained findings serious enough to warrant an investigation beyond the scope of a departmental enquiry.
The Special Invesigation Team (SIT), headed by Vijayan, ADGP (Law and Order), comprises S Sateesh Bino, Inspector General of Police, Internal Security; P Vikraman, Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch, Kozhikode and Wayanad; Shyju P L, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch, Wayanad; and Mathew, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch Range, Kozhikode.
The SIT head can include additional members if necessary, the order said.
The team has been directed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the entire transaction from its inception.
The probe will examine the process and circumstances that led to the selection of the sponsoring company, as well as the roles of other private entities and intermediaries.
It will also examine whether any undue favour, pecuniary advantage or benefit was extended to any private entity and whether any corresponding loss was caused to the government or public authorities, the order said.
The SIT will probe the sources of funds, sponsorship amounts, and financial transactions between the entities and persons concerned, as well as the circumstances under which government orders, permissions, concessions, waivers, and the use of public assets were granted.
The foreign visit and communications, negotiations and commitments made in connection with the project will also come under the scanner.
The order said that the probe will examine agreements with the Argentina Football Association, Football Australia, and other entities, and the circumstances under which the government’s name, authority, or machinery became associated with private contractual arrangements.
It will also investigate the handover and use of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kochi, and the expenditure and works undertaken there.
The SIT will further ascertain whether the facts disclose commission of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act or any other applicable law.
The team will undertake the enquiry forthwith and, based on its findings, initiate consequent legal action wherever found necessary under law, the order said.
Earlier in the day, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala told reporters in Idukki that an SIT will be formed soon.
“I forwarded that letter for a legal opinion. The Director General of Prosecution provided his legal opinion on it. Based on that legal opinion, I realised that there are several legal issues involved. On that basis, it has been decided to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) headed by ADGP Vijayan to probe the matter,” he said.
He said that the SIT has been directed to investigate the matter and submit a report to the government.
He said the note given to him by Chief Minister V D Satheesan, along with the legal opinion, would be handed over to the SIT.
“We need a detailed investigation into this matter. The investigation team will initiate further action and proceed as quickly as possible. They have been asked to submit the report at the earliest,” he said.
After the UDF government came to power, the Sports Department had first flagged the alleged irregularities which ultimately failed to materialise.
The department forwarded a report to the CM and subsequently recommended a detailed probe by the Home Department. PTI TBA TBA KH
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