The Kerala government's prolonged inaction on a file seeking permission to register a Vigilance case against former Minister V. Abdurahiman — in connection with alleged fraud involving football icon Lionel Messi's name — has drawn sharp scrutiny, with the file yet to reach Lok Bhavan for the Governor's approval as of 15 October 2026.

The stalling has effectively frozen the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe, leaving three individuals in limbo and raising questions about the government's willingness to act against its own former minister.

What the SIT Has Sought

The Director General of Police (DGP) submitted a formal recommendation on 5 October seeking permission to proceed against Abdurahiman, his private secretary Sathyapalan, and former Kerala State Sports Council President U. Sharaf Ali under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The proposed investigation aims to determine whether the alleged irregularities in the use of Messi's name for a football-related initiative constituted criminal corruption.

Why the File Hasn't Moved

The Home Department has maintained that prior sanction from the Governor is constitutionally required before the investigation can be initiated. However, the file has not been forwarded to Lok Bhavan — the Governor's official residence — as of the date of this report. Officials have attributed the hold-up to the ongoing Assembly session, citing legislative workload as the reason for their inability to process other files. Critics argue that this explanation does not satisfactorily account for a ten-day gap since the DGP's recommendation.

The Messi Fraud Controversy

The case centres on alleged irregularities surrounding a football-related initiative that reportedly used Messi's name without proper authorisation or in a fraudulent capacity. While full details of the controversy remain under investigation, the matter has been significant enough to warrant an SIT probe and a recommendation invoking the Prevention of Corruption Act against a former cabinet minister — a relatively rare step in Kerala politics.

Accountability Gap Under the Spotlight

The sequence of events — a police recommendation submitted, a mandatory sanction route identified, and a file left unforwarded — has put the Kerala government under pressure to clarify its timeline. The government has so far not indicated when the file will reach Lok Bhavan or when a decision on the proposed Vigilance case is likely. With the SIT unable to proceed without the requisite approval, the investigation effectively remains suspended pending executive action.

All eyes are now on whether the Home Department forwards the file once the Assembly session concludes — and how quickly the Governor's office acts thereafter.