An FIR has been registered against former West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas at Bidhannagar South Police Station in connection with alleged vandalism, ticket black-marketing, and security breaches at Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Salt Lake, Kolkata, during Lionel Messi's GOAT India Tour on 13 December 2024. The FIR was registered on Saturday night based on a complaint filed on 17 May by event organiser Satadru Dutta.

What the FIR Alleges

Dutta filed the complaint against Biswas under sections 3(5)/308(2)/318(4)/351(2)/61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), covering charges that include black-marketing of tickets, extortion, criminal intimidation, and cheating. Biswas may be summoned by the Bidhannagar Commissionerate shortly, according to police.

Dutta also alleged that Biswas had black-marketed approximately 22,000 tickets for the Messi event. Bidhannagar South Police Station has initiated an investigation based on that specific allegation.

Dutta's Account of the Event

After the formation of the new state government, Dutta spoke publicly for the first time about the chaos that unfolded on 13 December 2024. He alleged that Biswas entered the field without permission, surrounded Lionel Messi along with members of his close circle, and breached the Argentine footballer's security cordon using political influence. Dutta further alleged deliberate negligence in Messi's security arrangements.

In his complaint, Dutta accused Biswas of unlawful intrusion into restricted security zones, collapse of perimeter discipline, endangerment of Messi, and disruption of the event. He has also lodged complaints against Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor Jui Biswas, sister-in-law of Aroop Biswas, and then Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar.

What Happened at Salt Lake Stadium

The Salt Lake Stadium was packed well before the event began on 13 December 2024. When Messi arrived, crowds surged around him as spectators attempted to take photographs, creating a chaotic situation. Messi left the field in just 22 minutes, after which vandalism broke out — chairs and bottles were hurled onto the field, spectators broke through gates and entered the playing area, and galleries and restrooms at Yuva Bharati Krirangan were damaged.

Following the incident, the state government constituted an investigation committee. Dutta was arrested from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport on the same day. He was placed in police custody for 14 days, had his bail application rejected twice, and was eventually granted bail on 19 January after 37 days in custody.

Political and Administrative Fallout

In the aftermath of the December 2024 fiasco, Aroop Biswas resigned as state Sports Minister. Top IPS officers, including then-DGP Rajeev Kumar, were issued show-cause notices. The newly appointed Sports Minister of West Bengal, Nisith Pramanik, had indicated after taking charge that he would open a file on the Messi event fiasco.

Notably, Dutta had remained silent about his allegations during his arrest and custody period; it was only after the change of government in West Bengal that he directly named the former minister. This case now represents a significant post-change-of-government accountability moment for the state's political and administrative establishment.

With the FIR now formally registered, the Bidhannagar Commissionerate's next steps — including a potential summons to Biswas — will be closely watched.