Messi visit row: Keralam CM denies police disrupted news operations at Reporter TV office during searches
Satheesan says SIT procured search warrant from magistrate court to inspect television channel’s office in Kochi
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan refuted claims that police disrupted news operations at Reporter TV's office during a search. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) had obtained a search warrant from a magistrate court to inspect the television channel's premises, based on an FIR registered by the SIT in connection with a probe into alleged conspiracy to defraud the government and Keralam's football fans.
The SIT was also investigating whether promoters behind the "botched" scheme and their backers had abused power, caused financial loss to the public exchequer, and facilitated money laundering and tax evasion. The government tasked the SIT to examine these matters, and the probe is at an early stage with the possibility of further cases and indictments, including those against high-ranking officials from the previous LDF government, if more cognisable offences are uncovered.
Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan accused the UDF of violating press freedom, recalling his own tenure as Chief Minister when five journalists were arrested for publishing news unfavorable to the government in 2017. Vijayan, as LDF's Chief Minister, presided over these arrests.
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