Messi event vandalism: Organiser Shatadru Dutta gets interim bail

A court in Bidhannagar on Monday granted interim bail to Shatadru Dutta, the organiser of Lionel Messi GOAT India Tour, who was arrested in connection with the vandalism by spectators at the Kolkata event of the Argentine football star on December 13.

The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) court of Bidhannagar granted relief to Dutta on a bond of Rs 10,000.

After his arrest on December 13, Dutta had moved the court for bail. The court had then rejected his petition on the ground that he was “very influential” and could easily escape if granted bail.

Arguing for bail, Dutta’s lawyer on Monday said that there has been no significant progress in the police probe and therefore, there was no need to keep him in custody. The prosecution, however, opposed granting bail to him.

The Argentine football icon’s visit to Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on December 13 was marred by vandalism after thousands of football fans, angered by Messi’s extremely brief visit to the venue, broke seats, tore down banners, and hurled water bottles. Thousands of fans had purchased expensive tickets to catch a glimpse of Messi.

The then state sports minister Aroop Biswas was also relieved of his duties over allegations of “mismanagement”. Police had filed two cases for the rampage at the stadium. In connection with the first FIR, Dutta was arrested under BNS sections 192 (provocation with the intent to cause a riot), 324/4 (5) (mischief), 326 (5) (mischief by injury, inundation, fire, or explosive substance), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging their duty), 121 (1) (voluntarily causing hurt/minor injury to a public servant performing their duty), 121 (2) (grievous hurt), and 45/46 (abetment of a thing).

Dutta was also booked under Section 9 (penalty for subversive acts) of the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Act, and Section 3 (mischief causing damage to public property) of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. The second FIR was on vandalism and arson, and at least six persons were arrested for it.

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. Wit... Read More