On Monday, Satadru Dutta, the chief organizer of Lionel Messi's GOAT tour in India, lodged a formal complaint against Arup Biswas, the former Sports Minister of West Bengal. Dutta accused Biswas of various misconducts, including the alleged misuse of tickets for the Kolkata event and undue pressure regarding the issuance of access cards.
Fan Outrage as Messi Exits Prematurely
The Kolkata segment of Messi's GOAT Tour turned chaotic when fans, who had paid substantial amounts for tickets at Salt Lake Stadium, began throwing bottles and trying to breach gates after the football star departed earlier than expected. Frustrated fans engaged in vandalism, blaming poor event management and criticizing VIPs and politicians for monopolizing Messi's time, leaving little opportunity for fans to see him.
The unrest escalated as fans attempted to invade the field to damage the tent and goal post. In response, police had to intervene with mild force to disperse the agitated crowd.
Organizer Accuses Officials and Plans Legal Action
In an interview, Dutta detailed his allegations against Biswas, his family, and other officials, citing irregularities and security failures during the event. He expressed concerns over unauthorized individuals gaining entry despite his control over access. Dutta claimed that he faced threats related to managing event access and accused Biswas of ticket misuse.
He has filed a formal complaint and intends to seek ₹50 crore in damages, along with pursuing a defamation lawsuit, emphasizing the need for an impartial investigation. Dutta stated, "I have come here to file the complaint against the Sports Minister and his relatives, as well as certain high-ranking officials who entered the venue. The Sports Minister, who took tickets from me, I suspect sold them illegally. I faced severe threats regarding access cards."
He further added, "Even after I refused to issue access cards, unauthorized individuals still managed to enter. I have documented all these grievances in my complaint... I will pursue legal action for damages and a separate defamation suit... They made a scapegoat out of me. The investigation must be unbiased."
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