Published Nov 12, 2026 | 6:02 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 12, 2026 | 6:02 PM
A social media post by the then Sports Minister V Abdurahiman in June 2025 saying Messi will come.
Synopsis: Keralam Governor Om Prakash Mathur has granted sanction to register a corruption case against former Sports Minister V Abdurahiman over alleged irregularities in the proposed visit of the Argentina football team to the State. The Special Investigation Team has recommended naming Abdurahiman and four others as accused over alleged tender violations, misuse of official documents, financial irregularities involving crores of rupees and suspected GST violations in the football sponsorship deal.
Keralam Governor Om Prakash Mathur has granted sanction to register a corruption case under the Prevention of Corruption Act against former Sports Minister V Abdurahiman over alleged irregularities in the proposed visit of the Argentina football team to the State.
The sanction, sought by the VD Satheesan government on the basis of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) report, allows the SIT to name Abdurahiman and four others as accused in the alleged irregularities surrounding the football sponsorship deal.
The SIT, headed by ADGP P Vijayan, has recommended registering a case against Abdurahiman, his former private secretary C Sathyapalan, former Kerala Sports Council president U Sharafali, Reporter Broadcasting Company (RBC) and its owner Anto Augustine.
The investigation found that Abdurahiman had misused his official position to extend undue benefits to RBC, the private broadcasting company selected as the sponsor for the proposed visit. The event was promoted around the prospect of bringing football legend Lionel Messi to Keralam.
The probe found violations in the tendering process, including the award of the sponsorship contract to RBC without following prescribed procedures and without informing the relevant government departments.
The SIT also identified the alleged misuse of official documents, financial irregularities involving crores of rupees and suspected violations of GST provisions.
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The request for prosecution sanction remained pending during the tenure of former Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar, who left office without taking a final decision on the government’s request.
After assuming office, Mathur examined the file and sought legal advice before granting approval.
The sanction had been preceded by differing legal opinions within the government on whether the Governor’s approval was necessary.
While the Director General of Prosecutions held that the Home Department could order an investigation, the Law Department advised that the Governor’s sanction was required because the allegations concerned decisions taken by Abdurahiman in his capacity as a Minister.
The Chief Minister subsequently approached Lok Bhavan seeking the sanction.
With the approval in place, the SIT can proceed with formal criminal proceedings, including further questioning of those named in its report. Any decision on arrest will depend on the investigation and the applicable legal procedure.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
