A preliminary report on the violence and vandalism at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday has been submitted to the state government by the three-member enquiry committee constituted by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Based on the report, show-cause notices have been issued by the state to Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar and Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Mukesh Kumar. Departmental proceedings have been initiated against Aneesh Sarkar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), among others.
According to a press statement issued by the Chief Secretary’s office, “Rajeev Kumar, DGP, West Bengal, has been served a show-cause notice to clarify within 24 hours of communication as to why such mismanagement and lapses happened in the stadium on that day and why proper coordination with concerned stakeholders, including the private organiser, was not carried out to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.”
The statement added, “Mukesh Kumar, CP, Bidhannagar, is also show-caused, and clarification has been sought within 24 hours regarding the role and conduct of the Bidhannagar Commissionerate in the management of the event at Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan (VYBK), Salt Lake.”
Further, departmental proceedings have been initiated against Aneesh Sarkar (IPS), DCP, for “reported negligence in duties and responsibilities” on the day of the event, and he has been placed under suspension till the completion of the enquiry. Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Principal Secretary, Youth Affairs and Sports department, has also been show-caused and asked to submit clarification on the lapses and mismanagement. The services of Deb Kumar Nandan, WBCS (Exe) (Retd.), CEO of VYBK, were also withdrawn with immediate effect for his role in the mismanagement and lapses.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to conduct a thorough probe, which will include Peeyush Pandey, IPS (Director, Security); Javed Shamim, ADG and IGP (Law and Order); Supratim Sarkar, ADG and IGP (South Bengal); and Murlidhar Sharma, Commissioner of Police, Barrackpore.
The enquiry committee is headed by former Calcutta High Court judge Ashim Kumar Roy, with Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty as members.
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Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, former Justice Roy said the committee had sought details on who was responsible for arrangements during footballer Lionel Messi’s visit. According to the former judge, the committee detected a lack of supervision across the event. “Questions have been raised about how food items and water bottles were allowed inside the stadium. As far as we know, water bottles are not permitted. Yet, numerous broken chairs, damaged gates, and bottles of water and soft drinks were found lying inside the stadium. After questioning responsible officials, we learned that stalls had been set up inside the stadium. However, everything is still subject to investigation. Our preliminary view is that those who were on duty that day should have monitored this,” he said.
The committee has sought detailed reports from the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate and the Sports department within 24 hours, seeking information on who was in charge on the day of the incident, the advance planning undertaken, and the timeline of arrangements. “We have sought a detailed response from the police and the Youth and Sports department on planning, discussions, meetings with stakeholders — everything has been sought,” Chief Secretary Manoj Pant said.
On the SIT, Pant said senior police officers were being considered to ensure impartiality and transparency, as the incident occurred in Bidhannagar and the local police are already investigating the case. “Since most of the investigation involves the police, we have recommended that an SIT with senior officers be formed,” he said.
Former Justice Roy said the committee also inspected stadium infrastructure. “Chairs were picked up to check whether they could be easily thrown and whether the screws were loose. These aspects were examined,” he said.
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“These matters require deep investigation, which is the job of the police. We usually see police present in the galleries, and whenever there is trouble, they intervene immediately. Why that did not happen that day is still unclear. Without concrete evidence, no one can be blamed. We are examining everything. Once the reports come in, all facts will be known,” Roy added.
Meanwhile, Governor C V Ananda Bose left for Delhi on Tuesday. Sources said he is expected to submit a report to the Union Home Ministry on the issue, along with recommendations.
On Monday, three PILs were filed in the Calcutta High Court seeking a CBI and Enforcement Directorate probe into the incident.
On Saturday, angry fans had alleged they were unable to see Messi as he was surrounded by VVIPs and politicians, following which vandalism broke out at the Salt Lake Stadium. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had apologised to Messi and fans on social media and announced the formation of the enquiry committee. The committee visited the stadium on Sunday.
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Bidhannagar police have arrested prime organiser Satadru Dutta and secured 14 days of police custody. Six persons were arrested on Monday in connection with vandalism.
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