Kolkata, 04 August (H.S.) : The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday granted additional time to the West Bengal Police to submit its investigation report into the alleged mismanagement and chaos during Argentine football legend Lionel Messi's event at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata last December. The matter is now scheduled for hearing on August 11.

The case came up before the single bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, where the state government informed the court that recent administrative reshuffles within the Bidhannagar City Police had delayed the preparation of the report. The court accepted the request for more time and directed the police to file the report before the next hearing.

The controversy relates to Messi's appearance at Salt Lake Stadium on December 13, when several spectators alleged that despite purchasing expensive tickets, they were unable to catch a glimpse of the football icon because of poor crowd management and organisational lapses. Following the conclusion of the programme, incidents of vandalism and unrest were also reported inside the stadium premises.

The matter subsequently reached the Calcutta High Court, which ordered an independent inquiry into the incident and directed the constitution of a committee to examine the allegations.

Former West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas has also come under the scanner during the investigation. However, the High Court has granted him interim protection from arrest and other coercive action pending further proceedings.

Event organiser Satadru Dutta, who was arrested during the initial investigation and later released on bail, alleged that Aroop Biswas remained in close proximity to Lionel Messi throughout the programme in violation of the established protocol. He further claimed that the presence of influential persons on the field obstructed the view of spectators who had purchased tickets for the event.

Following the incident, two separate FIRs were registered at Bidhannagar South Police Station. While one case led to the arrest of Satadru Dutta, the other resulted in the arrest of several persons on charges of vandalism and arson.

After the change in the political dispensation in the state, Aroop Biswas approached the Calcutta High Court seeking protection from arrest. The court subsequently ordered a fresh and independent investigation and constituted an inquiry committee to examine the allegations. The Bidhannagar City Police has now been directed to submit its report before the next hearing on August 11.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh