Kolkata Messi event case: Ex-Bengal minister Aroop Biswas gets second police notice, must appear Monday
Synopsis
Former West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas is now facing a second police notice after skipping his first interrogation date on medical grounds. At the heart of the case: allegations that roughly 22,000 tickets for Lionel Messi's Kolkata appearance were black-marketed — a charge that, combined with his brother Swarup's arrest on corruption counts, signals a sharp reversal of fortune for one of TMC's most prominent faces.
Key Takeaways
Aroop Biswas , former West Bengal Sports Minister, received a second police notice on 7 June to appear at Bidhannagar (South) Police Station by 8 June .
He had sought a 14-day deferral on medical grounds after missing the first notice date of 5 June .
The FIR , registered on 30 May , alleges black-marketing of approximately 22,000 tickets for Lionel Messi's GOAT India Tour on 13 December last year.
His brother Swarup Biswas was remanded to 14 days of police custody on Saturday over separate charges of corruption and extortion.
Biswas lost his Tollygunge seat to BJP 's Papiya Adhikari by over 6,000 votes in the recent election.
Former West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas has been served a second police notice, directing him to appear at the Bidhannagar (South) Police Station in North 24 Parganas by Monday, 8 June, for questioning over an FIR linked to alleged vandalism and ticket black-marketing at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Salt Lake, Kolkata, during Lionel Messi's GOAT India Tour on 13 December last year. The fresh notice follows Biswas's request for a 14-day extension, citing medical grounds.
How the Second Notice Came About
On 2 June, the Bidhannagar (South) Police Station issued its first notice asking Biswas to appear on 5 June. On 4 June, Biswas sent a written communique — delivered via a messenger — requesting a 14-day deferral on medical grounds, attaching a medical certificate as supporting evidence. Investigating officers, however, were not persuaded by the deferral and issued a fresh notice on Sunday, 7 June, requiring him to appear for interrogation by 8 June afternoon.
The FIR and Core Allegations
The FIR was registered on 30 May by the Bidhannagar South Police Station, based on a complaint filed on 17 May by Satadru Dutta, the main organiser of the Messi event. Dutta alleged that Biswas had black-marketed approximately 22,000 tickets for the high-profile football exhibition. The complaint also named several others alongside the former minister.
Notably, during the earlier All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) regime, police had arrested Dutta himself in connection with the Yuva Bharati incident; he was subsequently released on bail. After the FIR was registered, Dutta publicly thanked current West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, state Sports Minister Nishith Pramanik, and Director General of Police Sidh Nath Gupta. Pramanik had previously indicated he intended to open a formal inquiry into the Messi event controversy after assuming charge.
Brother's Arrest Deepens Biswas Family's Legal Troubles
The scrutiny of Aroop Biswas intensifies against the backdrop of his younger brother Swarup Biswas being arrested on charges of corruption, extortion, and alleged questionable behaviour towards women support staff in the Bengali film industry. On Saturday, a lower court in Kolkata remanded Swarup Biswas to 14 days of police custody.
Political Context
Aroop Biswas, a four-time TMC legislator from the Tollygunge Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas, lost his seat in the most recent election to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Papiya Adhikari — an actress-turned-politician — by a margin of over 6,000 votes. His political fall coincides with a broader accountability push by the new state administration.
With a second notice now served and no confirmed compliance, investigators are expected to escalate proceedings if Biswas fails to appear by the stipulated deadline.
Point of View
Raising legitimate questions about whether the same complaint would have progressed under the TMC regime that once arrested the complainant, Satadru Dutta, instead. The Biswas family's simultaneous legal exposure — one brother facing interrogation, another in police custody — suggests a wider accountability reckoning rather than an isolated incident. Whether the case ultimately results in charges or fades into procedural delay will test the new administration's stated commitment to cleaning up the Messi event controversy.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Aroop Biswas been issued a second police notice?
Aroop Biswas was issued a second notice on 7 June because he did not appear for questioning on 5 June as directed by the first notice, instead requesting a 14-day deferral on medical grounds. The Bidhannagar South Police Station rejected the deferral and asked him to appear by 8 June afternoon.
What are the allegations against Aroop Biswas in the Messi event case?
Event organiser Satadru Dutta alleged in his complaint that Biswas black-marketed approximately 22,000 tickets for Lionel Messi's GOAT India Tour match held at Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Salt Lake, Kolkata, on 13 December last year. The FIR also includes charges related to vandalism at the venue.
Who filed the FIR and when was it registered?
The FIR was filed based on a complaint by Satadru Dutta, the main organiser of the Messi event, submitted on 17 May. The Bidhannagar South Police Station formally registered the FIR on 30 May.
What is the status of Aroop Biswas's brother Swarup Biswas?
Swarup Biswas was arrested on charges of corruption, extortion, and alleged misconduct towards women support staff in the Bengali film industry. A Kolkata court remanded him to 14 days of police custody on Saturday.
What is the political background of Aroop Biswas?
Aroop Biswas is a four-time TMC legislator from the Tollygunge Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas. He lost his seat in the most recent election to BJP candidate Papiya Adhikari by a margin of over 6,000 votes.
