West Bengal Police on Tuesday sought additional time from the Calcutta High Court to file a status report on the alleged mismanagement and crowd chaos that marred Lionel Messi's appearance at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata in December 2024. The court has scheduled the next hearing for 11 August, with the report to be submitted by the Bidhannagar City Police, which has jurisdiction over the stadium.

Why the Delay

The state government's legal counsel informed the court that recent administrative reshuffles within the Bidhannagar City Police had disrupted the preparation of the report, making additional time necessary. Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, presiding over the single-judge bench, accepted the request and fixed the next date accordingly.

What Happened at the Messi Event

The controversy traces back to 13 December 2024, when Argentine football star Lionel Messi visited Salt Lake Stadium as part of a promotional programme. The event was marred by allegations of poor crowd management and organisational failures. Several ticket holders reported being unable to see Messi despite paying significant sums for entry. After Messi's departure, sections of the crowd allegedly vandalised parts of the venue. Two separate cases were subsequently registered at Bidhannagar South Police Station — one related to the organisational lapses, the other concerning vandalism and arson.

Key Figures Under Scrutiny

Former West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas has come under scrutiny in connection with the incident. The Calcutta High Court has, however, granted him interim protection from coercive action, including arrest. Event organiser Satadru Dutta, who was arrested during the initial investigation and subsequently released on bail, has accused Biswas of breaching protocol by remaining in close proximity to Messi throughout the event. Dutta also alleged that the presence of influential individuals on the field obstructed the sightlines of paying spectators.

Court-Ordered Independent Probe

The matter reached the Calcutta High Court, which ordered an independent inquiry into the incident and constituted a committee to examine the allegations. Following a change in the political dispensation in the state, Aroop Biswas approached the court seeking protection from arrest, prompting the direction for a fresh and independent investigation. The probe committee was constituted accordingly and the police report remains a key pending submission in the case.

What Happens Next

The Bidhannagar City Police is now expected to file its report before the 11 August hearing. The court's findings could have significant implications for Aroop Biswas, whose interim protection from arrest remains contingent on the progress of the inquiry. The case has drawn attention to accountability gaps in the organisation of high-profile sporting and celebrity events in India.