Kolkata, 18 December (H.S.) : The Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal government to submit a detailed report by Monday regarding the chaos that erupted at the Yuvabharati sports complex in Salt Lake last Saturday. The court has also stated that the matter will be heard on the same day.

Football superstar Lionel Messi was present at Salt Lake Stadium for approximately 20 minutes last Saturday. Following his departure, the stadium witnessed incidents of stampede and vandalism. Reports indicate that Messi was surrounded by a crowd upon entering the stadium, preventing spectators from seeing him clearly. This situation led to disorder and damage within the venue.

Three public interest litigations (PILs) were filed in the High Court in connection with the incident. On Thursday, these cases were presented before a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujay Pal and Justice Parthasarathi Sen. Advocate Kalyan Bandyopadhyay appeared on behalf of the state government. The state requested an adjournment, citing other court commitments, which the bench accepted, thereby postponing the hearings of all three PILs.

The petitioners have argued that the inquiry committee formed by the state government is not adequately equipped to conduct a proper investigation. The committee includes retired Justice Asim Kumar Ray, Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, and Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty. Additionally, the petitioners have sought a refund of tickets to the spectators and requested that any financial irregularities be investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

According to reports, Messi, along with Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, arrived at the stadium around 11:30 am. The presence of the football stars excited fans, but as soon as they alighted from their vehicle, Messi was surrounded by a crowd. Consequently, not only Messi but also his fellow players were barely visible to the spectators in the gallery. Around 70–80 people, mainly officials and ministers, gathered around Messi.

The court has made it clear that the state government must submit a comprehensive report by Monday, following which the High Court will proceed with the hearing and decide on the next course of action.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh