It has been brought to light by Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma on Wednesday, 17th Dec that last-minute changes to Lionel Messi's itinerary significantly
affected security coordination during the Argentine superstar's recent visit to the city, ultimately leaving Kolkata Police out of the loop.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Kolkata Police's annual sports meet, Verma revealed that initial discussions with event organiser Satadru Dutta revolved around Messi staying at the Taj Bengal hotel, which falls under Kolkata Police jurisdiction.
However, the plan was altered shortly before the event, with Messi eventually accommodated at a Hyatt hotel near Salt Lake Stadium - an area overseen by Bidhannagar Police. According to Verma, once the venue and accommodation were changed, there was no further communication from the organiser with Kolkata Police authorities.
The disclosure comes amid an ongoing investigation into the chaos that unfolded at Salt Lake Stadium on December 13 during Messi's appearance. From the outset, the event attracted massive crowds, including political leaders, celebrities and fans, leading to overcrowding well before the football icon arrived. Although Messi was protected by personal security, the situation quickly spiralled out of control as spectators rushed towards him, many attempting to take photographs.
Messi remained on the field for barely 22 minutes before leaving, disappointing thousands of fans who claimed they could not even catch a glimpse of him. Soon after his exit, unrest broke out inside the stadium. Chairs and bottles were hurled onto the pitch, gates were breached, and several spectators entered the field. Acts of vandalism were also reported in the galleries and restrooms of the Yuva Bharati Krirangan.
The state government has since taken swift action. A high-level inquiry committee, constituted by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and led by retired Justice Asim Kumar Roy, has submitted a preliminary report. The panel includes Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty. Authorities have sought detailed explanations from the police and sports department regarding security planning, crowd management and surveillance measures, with reports demanded within 24 hours.
In the fallout, event organiser Satadru Dutta has been arrested, Sports Minister Aroop Biswas has resigned, and several senior IPS officers, including Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, have been served show-cause notices. The incident has raised serious questions about event management, accountability and coordination ahead of high-profile international visits.
