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Messi event vandalism: Organiser Shatadru Dutta gets interim bail

The court had rejected his petition before on the ground that he was “very influential” and could easily escape if granted bail.

2 min readKolkataUpdated: Jan 19, 2026 09:37 PM IST

Organiser Shatadru Dutta (yellow spec) at Salt Lake stadium with Messi during the event. (Express Archive)

A court in Bidhannagar on Monday granted interim bail to Shatadru Dutta, the organiser of Lionel Messi GOAT India Tour, who was arrested in connection with the vandalism by spectators at the Kolkata event of the Argentine football star on December 13.

The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) court of Bidhannagar granted relief to Dutta on a bond of Rs 10,000.

After his arrest on December 13, Dutta had moved the court for bail. The court had then rejected his petition on the ground that he was “very influential” and could easily escape if granted bail.

Arguing for bail, Dutta’s lawyer on Monday said that there has been no significant progress in the police probe and therefore, there was no need to keep him in custody. The prosecution, however, opposed granting bail to him.

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.

Also Read | Days after Messi event fiasco, Aroop Biswas resigns as Sports Minister

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.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More