The West Bengal Police on Monday issued summons to officials from six organisations responsible for managing various aspects of the Lionel Messi event at Salt Lake Stadium, which descended into large-scale chaos and vandalism two days ago. Authorities cited “gross mismanagement” as the reason for the action, according to a police sources.
Following an FIR filed in connection with the spectator rampage, which caused estimated damages exceeding Rs 2 crore to stadium property, police have so far arrested five individuals on charges of vandalism and assault on law enforcement personnel.
Among those summoned were Laltu Das, the manager representing Satadru Datta, the prime organiser of the event who has already been arrested. Additional notices were served to Manali Bhattacharya, Supriya Dasgupta, Sambaran Karmakar, Aditya Das, and Amit Kumar, a senior executive from a food delivery company, all of whom were involved in different capacities in managing the high-profile event. The officials have been asked to appear at the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate for questioning on Tuesday.
Sources revealed that Das attended a meeting with senior police officials a day before the event, where standard operating procedures were discussed in detail. He is expected to be questioned regarding alleged violations of these guidelines during the programme. Police are also investigating the unauthorised sale of food and beverages, which were reportedly used as missiles by angry spectators during the chaos.
Meanwhile, the Bidhannagar Police have arrested five spectators in connection with the vandalism and destruction of public property at the stadium. The suspects were identified through video evidence and booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita covering assault on public servants, obstructing duty, and property damage.
Authorities are continuing efforts to identify additional individuals involved in the stadium unrest. With the arrest of Satadru Datta and five others, the total number of arrests related to the incident now stands at six.
