The event organizer of Lionel Messi's G.O.A.T. tour in India, Satadru Dutta, was taken to court on Sunday (December 14).
Dutta, the main organizer, was arrested from the Kolkata airport on Saturday (December
13) after chaos erupted at the Salt Lake stadium, followed by vandalism by fans.
Lionel Messi came to Kolkata in the wee hours of Saturday, and as he attended the Salt Lake stadium, sheer mismanagement resulted in his early departure. Fans, who paid huge amounts for tickets, vented their anger and lawlessness soon emerged.
Angry supporters broke the fences and entered the pitch, and decimated the decorations, ignited fire, and uprooted chairs in the stands. They also got involved in a fight with police. Dutta, who went to the Kolkata airport to fly to Hyderabad with Messi, was arrested by the police amid the upoar.
The incident drew widespread criticism, marking a "dark day" for Kolkata sports fans, with police vowing further action against organizers.
Satadru Dutta sanctioned with 8 Charges
The main organizer Satadru Dutta has been arrested, and the police have filed a case with 8 legal charges against him. The West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee confirmed a full-fledged investigation and the officers have already reached the Salt Lake Stadium.
Bail Denied, Satadru in Police Custody
Satadru was taken to the Bidhannagar Court on Sunday and the judge gave the immediate verdict on the tainted businessman turned entrepreneur. Although many anticipated a conditional bail, the self-proclaimed star organizer has been sentenced to a 14-day police custody.
The majority of the fans have equally lamented West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas, who was present at the event and accused of creating a ruckus at the Salt Lake stadium. The minister was seen in close cahoots with Messi and the fans, who were denied, blamed the minister for his role in the chaos.
Who is Satadru Dutta?
Satadru Dutta hails from Rishra in the Hooghly district of West Bengal. Dutta began his career in finance and investment banking with firms like IL&FS and HSBC before transitioning to sports promotion around 2011. He founded the "A Satadru Dutta Initiative," focusing on celebrity sports events, management, and philanthropy through the Sisir Foundation, which supports social causes like Covid relief and aid for marginalized communities.
His notable achievements include organizing visits by icons such as Pele, Diego Maradona, Cafu, Ronaldinho. Messi's Argentina teammate Emiliano Martinez also arrived in Kolkata after their 2022 World Cup victory.
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