Lionel Messi's team on Wednesday visited the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate in Kolkata and formally blamed former West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas for the disorder that forced Messi off the field during his 'GOAT India Tour' at Yuva Bharati Krirangan, Salt Lake, in December last year. The complaint, submitted via email to Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Tripurari Atharv, marks the first direct intervention by Messi's camp in the ongoing investigation.

What the Email Alleges

According to a senior Bidhannagar Police officer, the email was sent by a member of Messi's team who had accompanied him to India as an advisor and was personally present on the field at Yuva Bharati Krirangan on the day of the incident. The email states that the situation deteriorated after Aroop Biswas entered the playing field without authorisation.

The complaint alleges that Biswas repeatedly touched Messi — including his shoulder and waist — in an attempt to pose for photographs. It further states that while only three photographers were authorised to be on the field, approximately 40 people had entered alongside the then minister, none of whom had the right to be there. This reportedly alarmed Messi and raised immediate concerns about his personal safety, making it impossible for him to continue at the event.

Organiser Cleared, Minister in the Dock

Messi's team has explicitly stated that the situation was beyond the control of event organiser Satadru Dutta, who had been the principal coordinator of the footballer's India visit. The complaint absolves Dutta of responsibility for Messi's early departure. Responding to the development, Dutta told reporters, 'This will definitely help in the investigation.'

Dutta had been arrested following the mismanagement at Yuva Bharati Krirangan on 13 December last year. Since then, he has made multiple allegations against Biswas, holding him responsible for the security collapse. He separately alleged that of the 70,000 tickets printed for the event, Biswas alone took 22,000 tickets, leveraging his ministerial position — and that these were distributed to acquaintances or sold.

Legal Battle Escalates

On Tuesday, Dutta filed a petition before the division bench of the Calcutta High Court, challenging the protection order granted to Biswas by a single-judge bench. Calcutta High Court Justice Saugata Bhattacharya had earlier granted Biswas interim protection from arrest under several conditions, including a directive that he cooperate with investigators. The court had also ordered the Bidhannagar Police Commissioner to conduct an independent and impartial inquiry.

Dutta's lawyer Arindam Jana brought the matter before the division bench of the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday. According to court sources, the bench granted permission to file the case, with the hearing expected later this week.

Biswas Evades Questioning

Police had issued a notice to Aroop Biswas for questioning in connection with the incident. He failed to appear the first time, citing physical illness, prompting additional notices. As of Wednesday, Biswas has not appeared before investigators. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, which came to power in West Bengal, has backed the renewed scrutiny of the former minister's role in the episode.

With Messi's team now formally on record and a High Court hearing imminent, the case is set to enter a critical phase that could determine accountability for one of Indian sport's most embarrassing crowd-management failures.