MessiTour – Aroop Biswas Appears Before Police Over Event Probe
MessiTour- Former West Bengal minister Aroop Biswas on Thursday appeared before police investigators in connection with allegations surrounding the organization of Lionel Messi’s “GOAT India Tour” event held at Salt Lake’s Yuba Bharati Krirangan in December last year.
The former minister reached the Bidhannagar (South) Police Station in North 24 Parganas district, where officers questioned him regarding claims of irregularities linked to the high-profile football event. His appearance came after he had previously failed to attend questioning sessions despite being summoned multiple times by the investigating authorities.
Multiple Summons Ignored Earlier
Police had issued three separate notices asking Biswas to appear for questioning. However, on each occasion, he did not attend the interrogation, citing different reasons for his absence. His eventual appearance marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the event’s management and ticket distribution practices.
The case has attracted attention due to the involvement of prominent political figures and allegations concerning the handling of tickets for one of the most anticipated sporting events held in the state.
High Court Grants Interim Protection
Earlier this month, the Calcutta High Court provided interim relief to Biswas. On June 10, Justice Saugata Bhattacharya of the High Court’s single-judge bench directed that no coercive action, including arrest, should be taken against him until August 17.
The court’s order offered temporary protection while the investigation continued. However, the legal battle did not end there, as fresh challenges emerged regarding the decision.
Organizer Challenges Court Order
Satadru Dutta, identified as the principal organizer of the Messi event, approached a division bench of the Calcutta High Court on June 16. The bench, headed by Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen, was asked to review the earlier order that granted interim protection to Biswas.
Dutta has been actively pursuing the matter and has maintained that the investigation should continue without restrictions. His legal move added another layer to the dispute that has unfolded over the past several months.
Allegations Related to Ticket Distribution
The controversy began after Dutta filed a complaint at the Bidhannagar (South) Police Station, leading to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR). In his complaint, he accused Biswas of playing a central role in the alleged mismanagement of the event.
According to the allegations, around 70,000 tickets were printed for the football program featuring Lionel Messi. Dutta claimed that approximately 22,000 of those tickets were taken by the former minister, allegedly using the influence associated with his position at the time.
The complaint further stated that these tickets were distributed among associates and, in some cases, allegedly sold at higher prices. Investigators are examining these claims as part of the broader inquiry into the event’s organization.
Additional Claims Surface
The case gained further momentum after an email reportedly reached Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Tripurari Atharv from a member of Messi’s team who had visited India as an adviser during the tour. The communication allegedly pointed to Biswas as being responsible for confusion and disorder linked to the event.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed detailed findings from the investigation so far. However, with Biswas now appearing before investigators and legal proceedings continuing in court, the case remains under close scrutiny.
The inquiry is expected to focus on ticket management, event planning decisions, and the allegations raised by organizers and individuals associated with the football icon’s India visit.