Kolkata Police Says Lionel Messi Event Schedule Changed At The Last Minute: 'Satadru Dutta Had Come To Talk About..'

Last Updated:December 17, 2025, 18:19 IST

Lionel Messi's Salt Lake Stadium event saw chaos. Satadru Dutta was arrested, Aroop Biswas resigned, and a committee led by Asim Kumar Roy is investigating.

Lionel Messi (Picture credit: PTI)

Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma on Wednesday revealed that the event schedule for Argentine football star Lionel Messi at Salt Lake Stadium was altered at the last minute. Following this change, the police department received no further communication from the organiser.

Initially, Messi was to stay at the Taj Bengal, which falls under the Kolkata Police jurisdiction. However, the schedule was modified, and Messi stayed at the Hyatt, adjacent to the Salt Lake Stadium, which is under Bidhannagar Police’s jurisdiction.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Kolkata Police’s annual sports competition, Manoj Verma stated, “Satadru Dutta had come to talk about Messi staying at the Taj Bengal. But after the event was shifted to a different location, there was no further discussion with him."

Also Read: Lionel Messi Omits Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium From India Tour Highlights, But Video Features Mumbai, Delhi & Hyderabad

Currently, Satadru Dutta is in police custody. From the beginning, there were allegations that chaos ensued at the Salt Lake Stadium on December 13 due to the presence of numerous political leaders, celebrities, and organisers.

What Changed?

It was known from the start that Messi would stay at the Hyatt. However, it is alleged that he was initially supposed to stay at the Taj Bengal, and after the change, Satadru Dutta did not contact the Kolkata Police.

On Tuesday, a committee formed by the Chief Minister and headed by retired Justice Asim Kumar Roy submitted its preliminary report on the incident. The committee also includes Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty.

The police were instructed to submit a report detailing their role on the day of the incident, how the arrangements were made, and how surveillance was conducted. Reports were demanded from the police and the sports department within 24 hours.

On December 13, the Salt Lake Stadium was packed well before Messi’s event began. Spectators eagerly awaited their favourite footballer. When Messi arrived, many people surrounded him, attempting to take pictures. Despite the presence of his security guards, chaos prevailed.

Spectators complained that they could not even see Messi. The football superstar left the field within just 22 minutes, after which vandalism began. Chairs and bottles were thrown onto the field from the stands. Many spectators broke down gates and entered the field. Vandalism occurred in the galleries and restrooms of the Yuva Bharati Krirangan. Following this incident, the state government formed an investigation committee.

Event organiser Satadru Dutta was later arrested. On Tuesday, Aroop Biswas resigned from his position as Sports Minister, and top IPS officers, including DGP Rajeev Kumar, were issued show-cause notices.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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