West Bengal sports minister resigns after chaos during Messi event in Kolkata

India's West Bengal Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Aroop Biswas has resigned from his post following unprecedented chaos surrounding football superstar Lionel Messi's event at the Salt Lake Youth Bharati (Yuva Bharati Krirangan) Stadium in Kolkata.

Biswas submitted his resignation letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today (16 December), seeking to be relieved of his responsibilities as sports minister to ensure a neutral investigation into the incident. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) later confirmed that the chief minister had accepted his resignation.

In his letter, dated 15 December, Biswas wrote that he was stepping aside in the interest of an impartial probe. He noted that the chief minister had already formed an investigation committee to look into the situation that arose during Messi's visit to the stadium on 13 December. Although the resignation letter did not carry his signature, several leaders close to Biswas in Tollygunge said the handwriting was his.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said Biswas had sought resignation purely to facilitate an unbiased investigation.

"This is an extremely unfortunate and embarrassing incident. The chief minister has already expressed regret and acted in accordance with constitutional duty. Two investigations have been ordered—one police probe and another by a committee headed by a retired judge. The director general of police has also been issued a show-cause notice," Ghosh said, while releasing a copy of the resignation letter to the media.

Biswas currently holds charge of both the Sports and Youth Welfare Department and the Power Department. His resignation applies only to the sports portfolio, and he will continue as power minister, remaining part of the state cabinet.

Chaos at Messi event in Kolkata

What was expected to be an eventful day for both the football icon as well as the fans turned into mayhem when Messi decided to leave the stadium early due to alleged mismanagement.

Messi leaves early as angry fans hurl bottles, chairs at Kolkata event

This made the fans, who had spent thousands of rupees just to get a glimpse of their hero, angry and they resorted to vandalism, including throwing bottles and chairs.

Following the disorder, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly apologised to Lionel Messi and the spectators. She immediately set up an inquiry committee headed by retired Justice Asim Kumar Ray, which has already begun work. Based on preliminary findings, the state government has taken a series of disciplinary actions.

A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed in line with the committee's recommendations. Show-cause notices have been issued to Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Mukesh Kumar, and Sports and Youth Welfare Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha. Bidhannagar Deputy Commissioner Anish Sarkar has been suspended, while Yuva Bharati Krirangan CEO Debkumar Nandan has been dismissed from service.

Those served with notices have been asked to explain within 24 hours why chaos broke out during Messi's event on Saturday. A departmental inquiry has also been ordered against DC Anish Sarkar, who will remain suspended until the probe is completed. The directives were announced in an official statement issued from the office of Chief Secretary Manoj Pant.