Kolkata event organiser Satadru Dutta, who brought Lionel Messi to India for the GOAT India Tour – Kolkata edition, has lodged a formal written complaint at Bidhannagar South Police Station against former West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas, alleging serious lapses during Messi's appearance at Yuva Bharati Krirangan on 13 December 2025. The complaint, submitted on Monday night, also names Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor Jui Biswas — Aroop Biswas's sister-in-law — and then Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar.

What the Complaint Alleges

In his letter to the police, Dutta has accused Aroop Biswas of unlawful intrusion into restricted security zones, collapse of perimeter discipline, endangerment of Lionel Messi, and disruption of the high-profile event. He has sought prompt action against all three named individuals. Dutta has claimed that the event suffered from poor planning and coordination, and that political interference directly contributed to the breakdown of security arrangements around the Argentine football legend.

The December 2025 Chaos at Salt Lake Stadium

The complaint is rooted in the pandemonium that erupted inside Salt Lake Stadium on 13 December 2025, when spectators who had purchased tickets for a glimpse of Messi were left aggrieved after the footballer exited the field quickly. What followed was widespread vandalism: chairs and bottles were hurled onto the pitch from the stands, gates were broken down by crowds surging onto the field, and damage was reported in the galleries and restrooms of Yuva Bharati Krirangan. The incident drew sharp and widespread public criticism.

Dutta's Arrest, Bail, and Accusations

In the immediate aftermath, Satadru Dutta — widely credited as the principal architect of Messi's Kolkata visit — was arrested at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport on the same day, 13 December 2025, and placed in police custody for 14 days. His first bail application was rejected on 28 December 2025 following a lengthy hearing, after which he was transferred to judicial custody. He was finally granted bail by a city court on 19 January 2026 — 37 days after his arrest — after two prior rejections.

Dutta had remained largely silent since his arrest. Following the recent change of government in West Bengal, he has spoken out for the first time, directly accusing the former Sports Minister of interfering in the event's proceedings and breaching Messi's security cordon.

Political and Administrative Fallout

The December incident triggered significant political and administrative consequences. The state government constituted an investigation committee to examine the alleged mismanagement. Aroop Biswas subsequently resigned as West Bengal's Sports Minister. Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, including then-DGP Rajeev Kumar, were issued show-cause notices. The investigation into alleged mismanagement and vandalism at Salt Lake Stadium remains ongoing.

What Happens Next

With Dutta's formal complaint now on record at Bidhannagar South Police Station, police are expected to examine the allegations against the named individuals. The complaint marks a significant escalation — shifting the legal narrative from the organiser being the accused to him actively pressing charges against former officials. How authorities respond to allegations implicating a former minister and a former DGP will be closely watched.