Former West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas has received a fresh police notice in the Kolkata Messi event case and has been directed to appear for questioning on Monday. The investigation relates to alleged vandalism, ticket black-marketing, and irregularities linked to Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour event in Kolkata.
The investigation into the controversy surrounding Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour event in Kolkata has gathered fresh momentum after former West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas was issued a second notice by police, directing him to appear for questioning on Monday.
Officials of Bidhannagar (South) Police Station in North 24 Parganas district issued the fresh notice on Sunday as part of an ongoing investigation into an FIR registered against Biswas in connection with alleged vandalism at Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Salt Lake during the high-profile Messi event held on December 13 last year.
According to police sources, Biswas has been instructed to appear before investigating officers by Monday afternoon. The notice marks the second attempt by authorities to question the former minister regarding the allegations linked to the event.
Earlier, on June 2, Bidhannagar (South) Police Station had served the first notice to Biswas, asking him to present himself for questioning on June 5. However, a day before the scheduled appearance, Biswas submitted a written communication seeking additional time on medical grounds.
In his letter, sent through a representative, the former minister reportedly requested a 14-day extension, citing health-related concerns. He also attached a medical certificate to support his claim of physical illness and inability to appear before investigators at the specified date.
Despite the request, investigating officers proceeded with a fresh notice, reiterating the need for Biswas to cooperate with the ongoing inquiry and appear before police on June 8.
The latest development comes amid growing scrutiny surrounding the Messi event, which has remained controversial since its organization. The FIR against Biswas was registered on May 30 following a complaint lodged by event organiser Satadru Dutta on May 17.
Dutta alleged that several irregularities took place during the organisation of Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour event in Kolkata. Among the most serious allegations was the claim that approximately 22,000 tickets were black-marketed. These accusations prompted Bidhannagar South Police to initiate a detailed investigation into the matter.
The case has also attracted significant political attention. Aroop Biswas, a four-time Trinamool Congress legislator from the Tollygunge Assembly constituency, remains a prominent political figure in West Bengal. However, his political fortunes suffered a setback in the most recent election when he lost the Tollygunge seat to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Papiya Adhikari by a margin exceeding 6,000 votes.
Adding to the controversy, the former minister’s younger brother, Swarup Biswas, is currently facing separate legal troubles. He was recently arrested on allegations of corruption, extortion, and inappropriate conduct towards women working in the Bengali film industry.
On Saturday, a Kolkata court remanded Swarup Biswas to 14 days of police custody, allowing investigators additional time to question him regarding the allegations.
Meanwhile, the Messi event case continues to generate public and political interest. Event organiser Satadru Dutta, whose complaint led to the registration of the FIR, had himself faced legal action during a previous Trinamool Congress government. He was arrested in connection with the Yuva Bharati incident but was later released on bail.
Following the registration of the FIR on May 30, Dutta publicly expressed gratitude to senior state authorities, including opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, current Sports Minister Nishith Pramanik, and Director General of Police Sidh Nath Gupta.
The issue has gained further significance after Sports Minister Nishith Pramanik indicated that authorities would revisit records and files related to the Messi event controversy. His remarks suggested a renewed focus on examining allegations surrounding the organisation and management of the football icon’s visit.
As the investigation progresses, attention is now focused on whether Aroop Biswas will comply with the latest police notice and appear before investigators. The questioning is expected to play a crucial role in determining the next course of action in a case that has become one of the most discussed sports-related controversies in West Bengal in recent months.
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Police officials have not disclosed further details regarding the scope of the interrogation, but sources indicate that investigators are examining allegations of vandalism, ticket black-marketing, and other irregularities linked to the Lionel Messi GOAT India Tour event held in Kolkata.
