West Bengal court places Messi event organiser Satadru Dutta on 14-day remand
Dutta has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on charges including creating unrest, vandalism, spreading violence, engaging in disruptive activities and endangering public safety.
Satadru Dutta, the principal organiser behind Lionel Messi's visit to India, has been denied bail and put on a 14-day remand by a court in West Bengal.
He was produced before the Bidhannagar court today (14 December), following his arrest yesterday by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and police.
His apprehension yesterday came shortly before he was scheduled to leave Kolkata for Hyderabad with the football star.
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Dutta has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on charges including creating unrest, vandalism, spreading violence, engaging in disruptive activities and endangering public safety.
Additional cases have also been filed against him under the Motor Vehicles Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act.
Scenes turned tense on the court premises today when Dutta was brought out of a prison van.
Supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) raised slogans of "thief, thief" and attempted to stage a demonstration, carrying saffron flags and slippers. Police intervened swiftly to prevent the protest from escalating.
During the day's hearing, the public prosecutor strongly opposed Dutta's bail plea. The prosecution argued that further investigation is necessary to identify other individuals who may have been involved in the incident and to collect additional evidence.
Dutta's counsel, however, contended that extended police custody is unwarranted, maintaining that his client was merely an organiser responsible for arranging the programme.
The arrest follows large-scale vandalism and protests at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) yesterday, where Messi was scheduled to attend a public event.
Disappointed fans, many of whom had paid ticket prices ranging from Rs3,800 to Rs11,800, expressed their anger as tensions flared.
Eyewitnesses reported bottles and chairs being thrown, banners being damaged and posters torn down, with attempts also made to damage parts of the field.
Sources said that amid escalating public fury and a complete breakdown of security, Messi was escorted off the pitch within around 20 minutes of his arrival, leaving the venue well before his scheduled departure time of 2pm.
Messi had arrived in Kolkata amid a packed itinerary, drawing massive crowds from across West Bengal and other parts of the country, but allegations that he remained surrounded by VIPs and largely out of public view triggered the unrest that ultimately forced his early exit.
West Bengal Police Director General Rajeev Kumar and Additional Director General (Law and Order) Javed Shamim had stated that no one involved in the violence would be spared.
Police also said a written undertaking has been obtained from the organisers to ensure compensation for affected spectators.
