Messi Event Chaos: Suvendu Adhikari Seeks SIT Probe from Calcutta High Court
Violence broke out at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata during the recent visit of football legend Lionel Messi, leading to legal action before the Calcutta High Court. At least two petitions have been filed seeking a fair and court-monitored investigation into the incident that took place on December 13 at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan.
The matter is scheduled to be heard on December 18 by a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen.
One of the petitions has been filed by BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari. He has alleged serious administrative failure, State involvement, and a breakdown of constitutional governance during the high-profile event.
According to Adhikari, although the programme was projected as a private event, it was conducted with active support from the State authorities. He pointed to the deployment of State police, use of public infrastructure, and special access given to political leaders, celebrities, and family members of the Chief Minister, while ordinary ticket-holding spectators were allegedly ignored.
Media reports stated that several fans became angry after Messi’s appearance, as many could not get a clear view of him despite paying high ticket prices. Some spectators reportedly damaged stadium seats and threw objects towards the pitch. A BBC report noted that Messi was surrounded by officials and celebrities, blocking the crowd’s view, and was taken away by security after about 20 minutes, following which the situation worsened.
The West Bengal government has already set up an enquiry committee headed by retired Justice Ashim Kumar Ray to look into the incident. However, Adhikari has opposed this move and demanded an independent Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of a High Court judge.
He has also sought directions for refund of ticket amounts and compensation for the inconvenience and harassment faced by spectators.
In a separate but similar petition, social worker Mayukh Biswas has requested investigations by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate against the event organiser and two ministers of the West Bengal government.
