Messi event vandalism: Organiser Shatadru Dutta gets interim bail

The Argentine football icon’s visit to Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on December 13 was marred by vandalism after thousands of football fans, angered by Messi’s extremely brief visit to the venue, broke seats, tore down banners, and hurled water bottles. Thousands of fans had purchased expensive tickets to catch a glimpse of Messi.

The then state sports minister Aroop Biswas was also relieved of his duties over allegations of “mismanagement”.
Police had filed two cases for the rampage at the stadium. In connection with the first FIR, Dutta was arrested under BNS sections 192 (provocation with the intent to cause a riot), 324/4 (5) (mischief), 326 (5) (mischief by injury, inundation, fire, or explosive substance), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging their duty), 121 (1) (voluntarily causing hurt/minor injury to a public servant performing their duty), 121 (2) (grievous hurt), and 45/46 (abetment of a thing).

Dutta was also booked under Section 9 (penalty for subversive acts) of the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Act, and Section 3 (mischief causing damage to public property) of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
The second FIR was on vandalism and arson, and at least six persons were arrested for it.