Kolkata, 15 December (H.S.) :

The legal battle over the investigation into the chaos at Salt Lake’s Yuvabharati Krirangan during football icon Lionel Messi’s programme has intensified, with three petitions being filed in the Calcutta High Court on Monday. The petitions challenge the validity and authority of the inquiry committee constituted by the West Bengal government, arguing that the panel lacks the statutory powers required to conduct a fair and effective investigation.

Of the three cases, two are public interest litigations, while the third is a separate petition. The petitioners have urged the court to order the formation of an independent probe committee, preferably under judicial supervision. The matters are likely to be taken up for hearing later this week.

The state government had set up an inquiry committee headed by retired judge Justice Asim Kumar Ray to probe the Yuvabharati incident. The panel also includes Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty. The committee’s authority has been challenged by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who has approached the High Court seeking a court-monitored investigation.

Senior advocate Sabyasachi Chattopadhyay has separately drawn the attention of the Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujay Pal and Justice Parthasarathi Sen, contending that the state-appointed committee is incapable of conducting an impartial probe. The Division Bench has admitted both public interest petitions.

Meanwhile, another petition has been filed by Mainak Ghoshal, who has also sought a court-supervised investigation. The petitioner has further demanded a refund of ticket money to spectators and has alleged financial irregularities in connection with the event. He has sought investigations by the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation, and has also demanded that the organising agency be made to compensate for the damage caused to the stadium.

The controversy stems from the events of December 13, when Argentine football legend Lionel Messi visited the Yuvabharati Krirangan. Thousands of spectators, many of whom paid hefty sums for tickets, gathered at the Salt Lake stadium. However, Messi remained on the field for only about 16 minutes and was taken away due to security concerns. Spectators alleged that he was not visible from the galleries even for a moment, triggering widespread anger.

The situation deteriorated rapidly, with sections of the crowd resorting to vandalism. Bottles were hurled onto the field and chairs were damaged. The unrest was so severe that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had to turn back her convoy, and she later apologised to Messi and the spectators for the incident.

Members of the state-appointed inquiry committee visited the Yuvabharati stadium on Sunday morning, inspected the venue and carried out videography of several sections of the gallery and the field. A prolonged meeting was also held inside the stadium. Speaking briefly to the media afterwards, Justice Ray said the probe was at a preliminary stage and declined to comment on specific aspects of the investigation.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh