Bengal Police Issue Third Notice to Ex-Sports Minister Over Messi Event Chaos
West Bengal's Bidhannagar police have issued a third summons to former Sports Minister Arup Biswas, directing him to appear for questioning within 48 hours in connection with the chaotic Lionel Messi event at Salt Lake Stadium in December 2025. Biswas had previously failed to comply with two earlier notices, citing personal reasons and ill health, without providing supporting documentation. The case is significant as it implicates a senior TMC political figure in allegations of ticket black-marketing, extortion, and criminal conspiracy surrounding a high-profile international event.
Bidhannagar commissionerate police served a third notice on Saturday to Trinamool Congress leader and former West Bengal Sports Minister Arup Biswas, ordering him to appear before Bidhannagar South Police Station within 48 hours for questioning. The case stems from an FIR filed on May 17 by event organiser Shatadru Dutta, who accused Biswas of orchestrating ticket black-marketing, extortion, criminal intimidation, and cheating in connection with the Lionel Messi 'GOAT India Tour' event held at Salt Lake Stadium on December 13, 2025. The event descended into chaos when large numbers of people allegedly entered the venue without valid tickets, leading to severe overcrowding, security breaches, and crowd disorder; many ticketholders complained they could not see Messi, who left the ground quickly amid the commotion, after which angry spectators vandalised parts of the stadium. Biswas had been asked to appear on June 4 but did not comply, citing ill health without providing documentation, and police subsequently pasted notices on the gate of his New Alipore residence. Notably, the Calcutta High Court has granted Biswas protection from coercive action until August 17, while directing him to appear before investigators upon receipt of a notice served at least 48 hours in advance. Dutta himself was arrested following the incident and spent 37 days in custody before securing bail, after which he publicly blamed Biswas for the event's collapse. Biswas faces charges under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including criminal conspiracy, extortion, cheating, criminal intimidation, and joint liability.
What's missing
It is unclear whether Biswas has formally responded to or challenged the third notice, or whether he intends to appear by the deadline. The current status of any broader investigation into other individuals allegedly involved in the ticket black-marketing network is also not addressed.
How coverage differed
The Times of India focused on the procedural details of police action and Biswas's non-compliance, while The Hindu provided broader context including the Calcutta High Court's protective order, the sequence of events at the stadium, and Dutta's arrest and subsequent bail — framing the story with more political and legal background.
What different sources said
- The HinduCenter
Police serve fresh summons to Bengal's ex-sports minister in Messi event chaos case
- Times of IndiaCenter
Lionel Messi event row: Bengal police issue third notice to TMC leader Arup Biswas
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