The West Bengal government has initiated significant disciplinary action against senior police officials, including the state's Director General of Police (DGP), in connection with the alleged mismanagement during the high-profile event featuring football legend Lionel Messi in Kolkata.
Disciplinary Actions Follow Probe Panel Recommendations
The state administration has issued a show-cause notice to the Director General of Police (DGP) and several other officers. In a more immediate step, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dy CP) of Bidhannagar Commissionerate has been suspended. These decisive measures were taken on December 16, 2025, based on the findings and recommendations of a specially constituted inquiry panel.
Investigating the December 13 Salt Lake Stadium Event
The probe panel was formed to investigate the lapses and alleged administrative failures during the event held at the Salt Lake football stadium (Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan) on December 13, 2025. The event, which featured global icon Lionel Messi, reportedly witnessed several issues related to crowd management, security protocols, and overall coordination, leading to public outcry and safety concerns.
The panel submitted its report, which highlighted specific shortcomings and pinpointed accountability. The government's swift action underscores the seriousness with which it has viewed the reported mismanagement of a high-security international event.
Accountability and Repercussions
By serving a show-cause notice to the DGP, the state government has sought an explanation from the top police officer regarding the alleged failures under his command. The suspension of the Bidhannagar Dy CP indicates direct responsibility attributed to the local police leadership for the event's execution within their jurisdiction.
The actions send a strong message about accountability in public administration. The government has emphasized that lapses in managing events of such scale, which draw massive public attention and involve international figures, will not be taken lightly.
This incident has put a spotlight on the preparedness and protocol execution capabilities of the local administration for mega-events. The outcome of the show-cause notices and any further actions will be closely watched, setting a potential precedent for future event management in the state.
