Principal organiser Satadru Dutta arrested after chaos erupts at Lionel Messi event in Kolkata. Judicial probe ordered as police investigate mismanagement, ticket pricing controversy, vandalism, and crowd violence at Salt Lake Stadium.
Satadru Dutta, the principal organiser of the high-profile football event featuring Argentine football legend Lionel Messi, was arrested on Saturday following widespread chaos, vandalism, and public unrest at Salt Lake Stadium on the northern outskirts of Kolkata. The arrest came hours after angry spectators protested against what they described as exorbitant ticket prices and severely restricted access to the global football icon, triggering a major law-and-order crisis.
The incident unfolded earlier in the day when thousands of fans gathered at the iconic stadium hoping to catch a glimpse of Lionel Messi, one of the most celebrated footballers in the world. Expectations ran high, but frustration quickly mounted as spectators alleged that despite paying premium prices for tickets, they were denied meaningful access to the football star. The situation soon spiraled out of control, leading to vandalism, property damage, and clashes with security personnel inside the venue.
Confirming Dutta’s arrest, Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) Jawed Shamim stated that a First Information Report (FIR) would be registered in connection with the incident. He emphasized that the police were treating the matter with utmost seriousness and that a comprehensive investigation would be conducted to identify the root causes of the mismanagement.
“A thorough investigation will be carried out to ascertain the roots of the mismanagement that ultimately led to the chaos. The police are taking the matter very seriously. Every person found responsible for the mismanagement and the resulting disorder will be booked,” Shamim said.
He further added that the event organisers had been instructed to arrange a full refund of the money collected from ticket sales, acknowledging the grievances of the spectators who felt cheated by the promises made during the promotion of the event.
According to a senior police official, Satadru Dutta was apprehended by police personnel at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport while allegedly attempting to leave the city. He was immediately taken into custody and is currently being interrogated to determine the extent of administrative lapses, financial irregularities, and potential violations of safety protocols.
As tensions escalated inside the stadium, police were forced to intervene with a large-scale lathi charge to disperse the crowd. Personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were also deployed to regain control of the situation. The unrest prompted Lionel Messi to leave the stadium earlier than scheduled, raising serious questions about crowd management, security preparedness, and event planning for international sporting appearances.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was en route to the stadium when the violence erupted. Upon receiving reports of the chaos and vandalism, she instructed her driver to turn back immediately, citing security concerns. Shortly thereafter, the Chief Minister announced the formation of a judicial committee to investigate the circumstances that led to the breakdown of order at the venue.
The judicial probe committee will be headed by Justice (Retd.) Ashim Kumar Ray, former judge of the Calcutta High Court. The panel will also include State Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and Additional Secretary to the Home and Hill Affairs Department, Nandini Chakraborty.
In an official statement, the Chief Minister said the committee would conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend corrective measures to prevent such incidents in the future. “The committee will conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in future. Once again, I extend my heartfelt apologies to all sports lovers,” Banerjee stated.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism from sports enthusiasts, civil society groups, and opposition leaders, many of whom have questioned how such a major international event could be conducted without adequate crowd control and transparency. Experts have also pointed out the reputational damage such incidents can cause to the state’s image as a destination for global sporting events.
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As investigations continue, the arrest of the principal organiser marks a significant step in the accountability process. Authorities have indicated that more arrests or legal actions may follow if further evidence of negligence or misconduct emerges.
