Kolkata hotel molestation arrest: Man nabbed after Brazilian football team celebration
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A 56-year-old man has been arrested on charges of molesting two women in the lobby of a five-star hotel in Kolkata during celebrations involving members of the Brazilian football team, city police confirmed on Sunday, 5 October 2025. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday night, between 12:30 am and 1 am, and a case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Pragati Maidan police station.
What the Complaint States
The complainant, a resident of Dimapur, Nagaland, stated in a written complaint that she and a companion were present in the hotel lobby when an unidentified individual touched them in an obscene manner while they were in the midst of celebrating with members of the visiting Brazilian side. Both women reportedly felt uncomfortable and distressed during the incident.
How the Accused Was Identified and Arrested
On receiving the complaint, Pragati Maidan police station launched an immediate investigation, examining CCTV footage from inside the hotel lobby. Officers matched the footage against the physical description provided by the complainant. The complainant subsequently identified the suspect after reviewing the CCTV recordings herself, according to police.
Tracking the accused's further movements through additional footage, officers eventually located and apprehended him inside a room in the same hotel. The arrested individual has been identified as Palash Roy (56), a resident of Lotus Boulevard, Sector 100, Noida, in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddha Nagar district.
What Kolkata Police Said
Kolkata Police Additional Commissioner (Detective Department) Kunal Agarwal confirmed that CCTV footage from the hotel is under detailed examination. 'CCTV footage of the hotel is being examined. Appropriate action will be taken after investigating the entire matter,' he said. Officials added that Roy's presence at the hotel during the incident and all aspects of the complaint are being cross-verified through footage and other corroborating sources.
The Brazilian Team's Visit to Kolkata
The Brazilian national football team was in Kolkata on Saturday to play an international friendly match against India at Salt Lake Stadium. Brazil won the match, scoring four goals. Following the game, the team and associated personnel gathered at the five-star hotel for post-match celebrations — the setting in which the alleged incident took place.
Investigation Ongoing
Police stated that additional information related to the incident, including details about the accused's movements before and after the alleged act, continues to be examined. The case has been registered under multiple BNS sections, and further legal proceedings are expected as the investigation concludes. The episode has drawn attention to the security arrangements at hospitality venues hosting high-profile sporting delegations.