West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas resigns over chaos at Lionel Messi’s event at Salt Lake stadium

West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas on Tuesday (December 16, 2025) resigned over the chaos at Lionel Messi’s event at Salt Lake stadium on December 13.

Mr. Biswas tendered his resignation to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who accepted the Minister’s request.

“As per the enclosed letter, I appreciate the sentiment and intention of the Sports Minister to offer a relief from the Sports Department for the sake of impartial inquiry into the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) incident on 13th December, 2025,” a letter signed by the Chief Minister said.

Ms. Banerjee added that Mr. Biswas “is correct (to resign) and until and unless the impartial inquiry is over, the Sports Department will be looked after by me for the time being”.

Violence had erupted at Salt Lake Stadium on December 13 as football fans vandalised the stadium after Lionel Messi’s brief appearance. Organisers of the event including the Minister surrounded Lionel Messi and the spectators who bought tickets at a hefty price were enraged after being unable to find a glimpse of the football icon.

The State government also issued show cause notices to top officials like Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Mukesh Kumar and Principal Secretary of Youth Affairs and Sports department Rajesh Kumar Sinha.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted with Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Jawed Shamim, ADG South Bengal Supratim Sarkar, Director (Security) Peeyush Pandey and Barrackpore Police Commissioner Muralidhar.

Additionally, the government suspended Bidhannagar DCP Aneesh Sarkar and initiated departmental proceedings against the officer.

On December 13, the State government set up an enquiry commission led by Justice (retd) Ashim Kumar Ray.