A Bidhannagar court on Sunday remanded Satadru Dutta, the organiser behind Lionel Messi's controversial India tour, to 14 days of police custody. The court rejected his bail plea, in which he argued he was a victim of the event's disastrous outcome.
Court Rejects Bail, Police Seek Answers
Opposing the bail application, the police insisted that Dutta's custodial interrogation was essential. They stated it was needed to uncover the planning and execution failures and to trace the money trail related to the event.
State counsel Amitabha Lala informed the court that custody was required to identify Dutta's associates, recover documents, examine the organisers' response to early unrest, establish criminal conspiracy, and reconstruct the incident. "We need Dutta in custody to identify his associates, recover documents and coordination materials, examine the organisers’ response to early signs of unrest, establish criminal conspiracy, trace the money trail, reconstruct the incident and conduct a thorough interrogation," Lala argued.
Chaos Erupts as Messi Exits Early
The event at Salt Lake Stadium descended into chaos on Saturday after football icon Lionel Messi left within just 22 minutes of arriving. He was immediately surrounded by officials and celebrities upon entry, disappointing fans who were promised an hour-long appearance. Denied even a glimpse of the Argentine star, enraged spectators vandalised the stadium and injured policemen.
Lala countered Dutta's defence by holding him directly responsible for managing access to Messi and ensuring a clear view for spectators. "Instead, he allowed people to surround Messi, triggering fury among spectators... He cannot evade responsibility for the collapse of law and order," Lala said.
Legal Charges and Dramatic Court Scene
Dutta faces a slew of charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other acts. The sections invoked against him include:
- BNS 192 (Provocation with intent to cause a riot)
- BNS 324 (Mischief)
- BNS 326 (Mischief causing injury by fire)
- BNS 132 (Assault on a public servant)
- BNS 121 (Voluntarily causing grievous hurt)
- BNS 45 (Abetment)
- West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Act
- Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act
Dutta was escorted into the Mayukh Bhavan court complex around 12.40 pm, with onlookers shouting "chor, chor." He wore a black hooded Armani Exchange sweatshirt and jeans, with his face covered and a small leather bag attached to his waist.
During the hearing, Dutta paced in the court lock-up. He slumped to the floor after judicial magistrate Nishan Majumdar ordered the two-week police remand. As he was escorted out, Dutta remained silent when asked if he had been framed, climbing into the police vehicle with folded hands.
His counsel, Dyutiman Bhattacharjee, had pleaded for bail, stating, "He is a sports promoter who brought Lionel Messi and others to Kolkata. How can he be held responsible for the crowd’s misbehaviour? In fact, my client is also a victim, as his reputation and standing have been severely damaged by this incident." The court, however, found the police's arguments for a deeper probe more compelling.
