The high-profile visit of football star Lionel Messi to Kolkata ended in significant controversy and police action, with the main organizer of the "GOAT Tour," Satadru Dutta, being arrested for alleged severe mismanagement of the event.
Dutta, who heads "A Satadru Dutta Initiative," was detained by Kolkata Police from the airport where he was seeing off Messi and his entourage, who were leaving for the next leg of the tour in Hyderabad.
Mismanagement and Vandalism
The arrest follows widespread chaos and vandalism that erupted at the Salt Lake Stadium immediately after Messi’s appearance. Angry fans, who had paid large sums for tickets, turned violent, throwing bottles and damaging property (Source 1.1, 4.4). Their anger stemmed from the star footballer's brief, 10-minute appearance and the fact that he was constantly surrounded by VVIPs and politicians, preventing the general public from getting a clear view.
Speaking about the incident, Jawed Shamim, Additional Director General (Law and Order), confirmed the action:
"The FIR has been lodged, and the chief organiser has been arrested. We have initiated an investigation and will identify those responsible for this mishap. The fans were treated in a very poor manner. Legal action will be taken against everyone involved." (Source 1.3, 3.4)
Focus on Refunds and Accountability
The police have registered a suo motu (on its own) case in connection with the incident, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also announced a high-level enquiry committee to investigate the matter and fix responsibility (Source 3.3, 3.5).
A key focus of the police action is ensuring disappointed fans are compensated. Police officials confirmed that the organizer has given a commitment in writing to refund the ticket amount to spectators who were dissatisfied with the arrangements (Source 1.5).
The incident has severely tarnished the image of Kolkata, known for its deep affection for football, and raises critical questions about the security, crowd control, and overall professionalism required for hosting global sporting icons. Satadru Dutta, an entrepreneur known for bringing other legends like Pelé and Maradona to India (Source 2.4), now faces legal scrutiny over the fiasco.
