Kolkata, 19 December (H.S.) :Kolkata Police on Friday arrested three more persons in connection with the vandalism that took place during an event linked to Argentine football star Lionel Messi at the Salt Lake Stadium. With these arrests, the total number of people taken into custody in the case has risen to eight.

According to police, the main organiser of the programme, Shatadru Dutta, had already been arrested on December 13, the day the incident occurred. The three accused arrested on Friday were produced before a lower court the same day, where the public prosecutor sought their police custody for further interrogation.

As part of the investigation, a Special Investigation Team of Kolkata Police visited Shatadru Dutta’s residence at Rishra in Hooghly district. The team questioned a domestic help present at the house and conducted a thorough search of the premises. However, police said no seizures were made during the search. Members of the investigation team declined to speak to the media, stating that the matter is under investigation and it would not be appropriate to comment at this stage.

Sources indicated that the possibility of large-scale financial irregularities in connection with the event cannot be ruled out. Investigating agencies are reportedly focusing on the unusually high pricing of tickets for the programme. If concrete evidence of financial wrongdoing emerges, the Enforcement Directorate may take over the probe, as the agency has the authority to initiate action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, West Bengal Chief Secretary for Sports Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, and Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Mukesh Kumar submitted their respective reports to the state government in response to show-cause notices issued over the mismanagement and vandalism at the stadium.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh