A Kolkata court on Tuesday remanded event organiser Satadru Dutta to two weeks of police custody in connection with the chaos that erupted at Salt Lake Stadium during the much-publicised Lionel Messi India Tour event. The decision came after police produced Dutta before the court, citing the need for sustained interrogation to ascertain responsibility for the large-scale disorder.
The incident occurred when thousands of fans gathered at the stadium following announcements and promotions suggesting the Argentine football icon’s presence. However, confusion over event details, alleged mismanagement, and lack of clarity from organisers led to massive overcrowding, panic among attendees, and a breakdown of basic crowd control measures. Several spectators were reportedly left stranded and distressed as the situation spiralled out of control.
Police sources stated that preliminary investigations point towards serious lapses in planning and communication, including misleading publicity and inadequate coordination with authorities. Law enforcement agencies registered multiple complaints from aggrieved fans who claimed they were deceived into believing Messi would appear in person at the venue.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution argued that custodial interrogation was essential to examine financial transactions, promotional commitments, and the role of other individuals involved in organising the event. The defence, however, maintained that Dutta was being unfairly targeted and that the situation escalated due to unexpected crowd turnout.
The controversy has triggered widespread outrage on social media, with fans demanding accountability and stricter regulation of celebrity-linked events. The state government has also sought detailed reports from police and stadium authorities to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As investigations continue, police have not ruled out further arrests, indicating that more organisers and associates could be questioned in the coming days. The case has cast a shadow over the much-hyped Messi India Tour, turning what was meant to be a celebratory sporting moment into a cautionary tale of mismanagement and public anger.
