Kolkata: Immediately after taking charge of the sports and youth welfare department on Tuesday, minister Nishith Pramanik ordered a fresh probe into the Messi fiasco at Salt Lake Stadium on December 13. The incident had triggered chaos, vandalism, and allegations of large-scale administrative failure under the previous Trinamool government.
Minister's Swift Action
The announcement came within hours of Pramanik assuming charge, signaling a direct scrutiny of the tenure of former sports minister Aroop Biswas. Addressing his first press conference, Pramanik described the incident as "deplorable" and warned of strict action if corruption or financial irregularities were found. "I have summoned all files related to the Messi fiasco. We need to examine every detail thoroughly. After reviewing the documents, I will discuss the matter with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. If any corruption or financial irregularities are detected, strict action will follow," he said.
Chaos at Salt Lake Stadium
The controversy erupted when thousands of fans thronged Salt Lake Stadium hoping to catch a glimpse of Argentine football icon Lionel Messi during a high-profile event. Severe overcrowding, alleged mismanagement, and confusion over ticketing arrangements led to massive disorder both inside and outside the venue. Many ticket holders complained that despite paying large sums, they could neither enter the stadium properly nor see Messi. The chaos eventually resulted in vandalism at the venue and the arrest of organizer Satadru Dutta.
Investigation and Future Plans
Pramanik also announced that the role of the ticket-selling agency would come under investigation. While he stopped short of committing to refunds for disappointed fans, the minister indicated that the issue would be discussed internally before a decision is taken. At the same time, he tried to strike a conciliatory note by promising efforts to organize another major football event in Kolkata in the future.
Meanwhile, Dutta accused former minister Biswas of misusing his authority during the event. Pramanik also cited the example of celebrated heptathlete Swapna Barman, who contested on a Trinamool ticket from Rajganj in Jalpaiguri this year, claiming she had to move to Madhya Pradesh because of inadequate facilities in Bengal.
Central Schemes to Be Implemented
According to Pramanik, all pending sports and youth welfare schemes of the Centre, including Khelo India and Sports Authority of India initiatives, would be implemented starting Wednesday.
