Kochi, Sept. 17 -- Keralam Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Thursday said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) had gathered necessary evidence during raids at the offices of a news channel and its owners' residences as part of its probe into alleged financial irregularities linked to the proposed visit of Lionel Messi and the Argentine football team to the state.

"Necessary evidence was obtained during the inspection at Reporter TV's office. We cannot disclose details of the evidence at this stage. Who said that no evidence was found?" Chennithala told the reporters.

Chennithala said the SIT is conducting a legally mandated probe into alleged fraud linked to the proposed visit of Messi to Keralam. He said the investigation followed a...