Kochi, Sept. 16 -- The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Keralam Police on Wednesday conducted extensive search operations at the headquarters of Malayalam news channel Reporter TV and the residences of its promoters, the Augustine brothers, in connection with an alleged fraud case related to the proposed visit of football icon Lionel Messi to the state.

Addressing reporters, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) P Vijayan stated that the searches were carried out on the basis of a search warrant obtained from the magistrate following a preliminary inquiry and a communication received from the state government's Sports Department.

"This was only a preliminary inquiry, based on the report received by the government. Our init...