Ex-Bengal Minister Grilled in Messi Event Irregularities Probe After Stadium Chaos
Former West Bengal sports minister Aroop Biswas was interrogated by Bidhannagar Police regarding alleged irregularities during a 2025 football event featuring Lionel Messi. The probe follows accusations of ticket black-marketing, extortion, and stadium violence during the star-studded exhibition in Kolkata.
Highlights
- •Former West Bengal minister Aroop Biswas was questioned for over three hours by Bidhannagar Police regarding the 2025 Messi event.
- •The investigation stems from allegations of ticket black-marketing, cheating, and extortion during the December 2025 football exhibition at Salt Lake Stadium.
- •Aroop Biswas appeared following a Calcutta High Court order for conditional immunity and is scheduled to reappear with documents on June 22.
- •Event organizer Shatadru Dutta, who was previously jailed for the incident, alleges the former minister abused his power and violated protocols.
A formal Messi event irregularities probe is currently underway, involving the interrogation of a former West Bengal minister. On Thursday, Aroop Biswas underwent questioning by the Bidhannagar Police for over three hours. This development follows the official investigation into the chaos that erupted during a high-profile football event in 2025.
The former sports minister arrived at the Bidhannagar South Police Station at approximately 9:55 am to comply with the third summons issued by the authorities. This appearance took place after Aroop Biswas had previously skipped two earlier requests, eventually moving forward following a directive from the Calcutta High Court that granted him conditional protection from coercive police actions. Upon completing the session, he departed the premises at about 1:15 pm in a vehicle with dark tinted windows.
Investigation Details into the Messi Event Irregularities
The core of this Messi event irregularities probe centers on allegations linked to a star-studded football showcase held at Salt Lake Stadium on December 13, 2025. The event, which highlighted Argentine football icons Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Rodrigo De Paul, concluded in widespread violence and vandalism. Frustrated spectators, who had purchased expensive tickets, alleged that they could not see the football stars because influential figures remained closely surrounded around the pitch.
The investigation was initiated following a complaint from event organizer Shatadru Dutta. Official charges registered on May 17 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) include extortion, cheating, and criminal intimidation. According to the complaint, approximately 22,000 tickets were allegedly funneled into the black market. Shatadru Dutta, who spent 37 days in custody following the initial stadium unrest, has accused the former minister of abusing his official capacity to manipulate on-pitch protocols for personal influence.
Ongoing Legal and Administrative Developments
Aroop Biswas has consistently refuted these accusations, maintaining that he had no involvement in the financial or management aspects of the football programme. Previously, on June 5, the former minister had formally requested a two-week extension for his appearance, citing medical reasons. Investigators have now directed him to return on June 22, explicitly requesting that he provide all documentation relevant to the Messi event irregularities probe.
In a recent development, reports suggest that the representatives for Lionel Messi have communicated directly with the Bidhannagar Police. The correspondence allegedly holds the former minister accountable for the violence that disrupted the stadium. This development could prove pivotal, as it purportedly supports the claims made by Shatadru Dutta, who continues to maintain his innocence regarding the charges of event mismanagement filed against him during the previous administrative regime.
