4 min readKolkataJun 10, 2026 07:19 PM IST
First published on: Jun 10, 2026 at 03:17 PM IST
The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday granted interim protection to former sports minister Aroop Biswas in the 2025 Messi event fiasco case.
The single-judge bench of Justice Sougata Bhattacharjee ordered that no coercive steps be taken against Biswas in the case without the court’s permission till August 17.
The court further ordered that the investigating agency can continue with the investigation in the meantime, instructing Biswas to not leave the city without the court’s permission and submit his passport with the jurisdictional court within seven days.
The matter is next slated for August 4.
In its order, the court said: “The petitioner (Biswas) shall comply with the notices and appear before the agency on a fixed date and time. Failing such compliance, the state can bring this to the notice of the court for appropriate order. At least 48 hours time be given before notice of appearance is issued.”
The court also ordered the Commissioner of Police, Bidhannagar, to conduct an independent inquiry into why chaos erupted at the Messi event, and submit a report of its findings within four weeks.
The Director General of West Bengal Police has also been directed to submit a report on the progress of the investigation on the next date of hearing, as well as any other criminal proceedings pending against the petitioner.
Court proceedings
Appearing for Biswas, senior advocate Kishore Dutta submitted, “Criminal intimidation, extortion and cheating – most are cognizable and non-bailable offences. Extortion and cheating cannot go together. No such preliminary inquiry was done. There is a threat to my personal liberty. Give us some protection, we will comply with the notice. Please consider whether there is any criminality on the part of the petitioner in terms of the incident.”
The court observed, “Why are you not complying with 35(3) notice. When will you go? See the picture (Aroop Biswas with Messi) does it not breach the security of the soccer legend? How can he do this? Is he Messi’s childhood friend? Spreading his hand around the waist of Messi? How did he do this? All the people of Kolkata felt ashamed because of this incident. Proximity card means he can do anything? In all other three cities nothing had happened.”
Appearing for the state, Advocate General Surajit Nath Mitra submitted, “The petitioner didn’t comply with the terms of the summons twice. An anti-bail application was taken out in Barasat Sessions Court. He should have pressed for pre-arrest bail there. The person is influential, he may tamper and intimidate the witness affecting the investigation.”
Advocate Arindam Jana, appearing for the event organiser Satadru Dutta, submitted, “Me and my family were threatened. I was afraid. I was arrested and so I was late to lodge the complaints. He took 22,000 tickets, accreditation cards and close proximity passes from me.”
Case background
The Messi case file was reopened immediately after the change of government in West Bengal. Dutta, who was arrested in the wake of the Messi event fiasco, pointed fingers at the former sports minister after he was released on bail. Subsequently, Dutta lodged a formal police complaint against Aroop Biswas and his sister-in-law Jui Biswas. He also filed a complaint against the then-DGP Rajeev Kumar.
In December 2025, chaos broke out at the Salt Lake Stadium event as leaders, ministers, VVIPs, and their family members made attempts to get up close and take photos with Messi. According to the complaint, then-sports minister Aroop Biswas had allegedly threatened and extorted passes from Dutta. Due to the mismanagement allegedly caused by politicians and ministers, Messi and his team left the field after spending just 15 to 20 minutes.
Spectators, who had bought tickets worth thousands of rupees, complained they could not even catch a proper glimpse of Messi, triggering widespread outrage. Disgruntled fans threw bottles from the galleries, while many breached the pitch and resorted to vandalism.
Chaos broke out at Salt Lake Stadium (left) as VIPs, including the then minister Aroop Biswas (right) made attempts to get up close and take photos with Messi. (Express/File photo) 
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