Kolkata court denies bail to Messi tour organiser Satadru Dutta and remands him to two weeks police custody after Salt Lake Stadium chaos
A Kolkata court has refused bail to Messi India tour organiser Satadru Dutta and ordered him to be held in police custody for two weeks following chaotic scenes at Salt Lake Stadium. The decision came amid concerns over public disorder, inadequate crowd control and safety gaps during the high profile event.
A court in Kolkata has denied bail to event organiser Satadru Dutta in connection with the public disorder that occurred during the Lionel Messi India tour event at Salt Lake Stadium. The judge remanded Dutta to police custody for a period of two weeks, citing the need for further investigation into allegations of crowd mismanagement and safety lapses.
The decision followed a chaotic situation at Salt Lake Stadium when large numbers of fans gathered for Messi’s appearance. Reports from the scene indicated overcrowding, long delays at entry points and breakdowns in crowd control that led to panic among spectators. Police had to intervene to restore order, and several people reported distress at the gate areas.
Authorities allege that inadequate planning and failure to follow prescribed safety protocols by the organisers contributed to the chaos. They said that the scale of the crowd and the handling of the event created risks to public safety, and that a thorough inquiry was necessary to determine the extent of lapses and responsibilities.
During the hearing, the prosecution argued that releasing Dutta on bail could affect the investigation and that custodial interrogation was needed to clarify key aspects of the case. The court agreed, noting that the matter involved serious public safety concerns and that more time was required to gather evidence and statements from witnesses.
Supporters of Dutta contended that the situation was beyond his control given the immense crowd attracted by Messi’s presence. They said that infrastructure limitations and unanticipated turnout were major factors, and that the organiser should not be held solely responsible. However the court felt that police custody was justified at this stage to allow investigators to proceed.
The case has drawn widespread attention as it highlights challenges in managing large scale events and ensuring crowd safety. Authorities have said that findings from the investigation will guide future decisions on event approvals and safety compliance.
Dutta will remain in police custody for the next two weeks as law enforcement continues to collect evidence and interview key officials involved in the event planning and execution. The outcome of the investigation may influence whether additional charges are filed or if others involved in organising the tour face legal scrutiny.
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