kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata, June 17: The controversy surrounding the alleged mismanagement during Argentine football legend Lionel Messi’s visit to Kolkata in December last year has taken a dramatic new turn. A member of Messi’s team has reportedly sent an e-mail to the Commissioner of Bidhannagar Police, directly holding former Sports Minister Aroop Biswas responsible for the chaos and disruption that occurred during the high-profile event.

The person who sent the e-mail had travelled to Kolkata as an advisor to Messi during his ‘GOAT Tour’ and was present on the field alongside the football icon on the day of the programme. In the communication, it has been alleged that the entire arrangement became chaotic after Aroop Biswas entered the ground. The e-mail claims that after his arrival, he carried out certain activities that were not part of the previously planned schedule, which ultimately led to disorder during the event.

The e-mail also reportedly stated that the main organiser of the programme, Shatadru Dutta, was in no way responsible for the situation. It further claimed that he had no role in Messi leaving the Salt Lake Stadium earlier than scheduled. Reacting to the development, Shatadru Dutta said that the e-mail could become an extremely significant piece of evidence in the ongoing police investigation into the entire episode.

Shatadru Dutta had earlier repeatedly raised allegations against Aroop Biswas over the mismanagement surrounding Messi’s Kolkata visit. Taking the legal battle further, he has now approached the Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court, challenging the legal protection that was earlier granted to the former minister.

Tuesday, Dutta’s lawyer brought the matter before the Division Bench headed by the Chief Justice. The court allowed the filing of the case, and the matter is expected to be heard within this week. Earlier, after an FIR was lodged against him, former Tollygunge MLA Aroop Biswas had approached the High Court seeking protection from arrest. Justice Sougata Bhattacharyya had granted him interim relief and directed him to cooperate with the investigation. The court also instructed Bidhannagar Police to ensure that the investigation proceeds independently and without bias.

Shatadru Dutta has now challenged that order before the higher bench. He has alleged that a total of 70,000 tickets were printed for Messi’s mega event at Salt Lake Stadium in December, out of which 22,000 tickets were allegedly taken by Aroop Biswas by using his official position and influence. According to Dutta’s allegations, those tickets were not only distributed among acquaintances but were also sold to others.

Holding Aroop Biswas solely responsible for the disorder and confusion that unfolded during the programme, Dutta filed an FIR and demanded a detailed investigation into the entire matter. During the course of the investigation, Bidhannagar Police had issued a notice summoning Aroop Biswas for questioning. However, he initially sought exemption from appearing before the police citing health-related issues and later approached the High Court expressing fears of arrest, following which he received interim legal protection.

The latest e-mail from a member of Messi’s team has now added a new dimension to the controversy, potentially becoming an important element in the police investigation and the ongoing legal battle over the alleged irregularities surrounding the much-publicised Kolkata event.