Retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Ashim Kumar Ray during his visit to the Salt Lake stadium, a day after chaos erupted during Argentine football icon Lionel Messi’s event, in Kolkata, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025
A local court on Sunday remanded Satadru Dutta, organiser of footballer Lionel Messi’s event at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata, to a 14-day police custody.
The police arrested Dutta on Saturday evening, after an episode of chaos and vandalism at the stadium. Thousands of football fans protested inside the stadium and stormed the ground after they complained of failing to catch a clear glimpse of the Argentine star, despite paying hefty sums for tickets.
Dutta was produced before the Bidhannagar Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM), where his lawyer appealed for bail while the police demanded 14-day custody stressing the need for custodial interrogation.
The lawyer argued that Dutta was being “victimised and framed” and urged for leniency. The court, however, sent him to custody, denying any relief.
Earlier in the day, members of an inquiry committee, set up by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, inspected the venue.
The inquiry committee, led by a former Calcutta High Court judge Justice (Retd) Ashim Kumar Ray, include Chief Secretary Manoj Panth and Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty.
Speaking to the media, Ray said, “We have come today as part of the inquiry committee. Right now, it would not be appropriate to make any observations. We have come to see the circumstances and the investigation has begun.” He added that a report will be submitted shortly.
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, who visited the stadium on Sunday, called for a judicial inquiry.
“I came here to get first-hand experience. I have observed the area. For fans, Messi is like a symbol of hope. We need to examine the roles of the private organisation, government administration, and the police, as well as investigate any potential intelligence failures,” Bose told the media.
He said the incident at the stadium on Saturday brought untold shame to the people of Kolkata. “I met with the committee. There is more to this situation,” the Governor said.
Background
Messi arrived at the Salt Lake stadium on Saturday morning in the first leg of his three-day ‘GOAT Tour’ in India. On the field, he was encased by VIPs, organisers, celebrities and security personnel, leaving spectators in the galleries straining for a view. The Argentine icon walked a short distance on the pitch and waved briefly towards the stands amid chants of “Messi, Messi”.
Thousands of fans, however, soon realised that their favourite star remained tightly guarded and barely visible from large sections of the stadium. Several spectators claimed that they were frustrated because they could not get a glimpse of Messi, as politicians and VVIPs prioritised selfies over crowd control.
They were angry when it became evident that the Argentine star would not complete the full lap of the stadium that was part of the original programme. The anger exploded into a violent outburst when Messi turned back midway and was escorted out well before the scheduled end of his appearance.
As word spread that he left the venue prematurely, bottles and plastic chairs were hurled onto the pitch, sponsor banners and hoardings torn down. Angry fans invaded the field and tried to set fire to the VIP seating area, leading the police to lathi-charge the crowd.
CM must resign
The BJP has demanded the resignation of the CM and Sports Minister Aroop Biswas, accusing them of “bowing India’s head before the entire world” and “playing recklessly with the emotions of the people of West Bengal.”
“The event became West Bengal Sports Minister’s personal event. The minister was more in frame than Messi. It was of personal canvassing, and using an international player for a completely vested interest,” said All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey.
Published on December 14, 2025