Inquiry panel members begin inspection of Salt Lake Stadium as Messi event chaos probe continues
An inquiry panel has begun inspecting Salt Lake Stadium to investigate the chaos that unfolded during Lionel Messi’s event. Led by Justice Ashim Kumar Ray, the panel is examining crowd management practices, stadium protocols and safety compliance to determine responsibility for the disorderly scenes.
An inquiry panel has commenced its inspection of Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata as part of the ongoing investigation into the disorder that occurred during the Lionel Messi India tour event. The high profile probe is being led by Justice Ashim Kumar Ray, who has been tasked with examining the circumstances that led to chaos, overcrowding and safety concerns at the venue.
The inspection is aimed at understanding how the event was organised, whether adequate crowd control measures were in place and if proper safety protocols were implemented before and during the arrival of Messi. Officials accompanying the panel are studying gate arrangements, movement routes, crowd barriers, emergency exit points and space allocation for attendees.
The Messi tour event had attracted tens of thousands of fans, and overcrowding at the stadium led to long queues, frustration and disruptions that forced authorities to intervene. There were reports that many fans were unable to enter the venue on time and that crowd management arrangements were overwhelmed by the turnout. The scenes sparked widespread criticism of planning and preparedness.
Panel members are expected to collect testimony from police, organisers and stadium officials to piece together a comprehensive account of what went wrong. The probe will also assess whether event permits, safety clearances and traffic management plans were properly secured in advance.
Justice Ashim Kumar Ray has emphasised the need for a thorough and impartial investigation, noting that public safety is a top concern. The panel will review documentation related to the event and is likely to call witnesses to provide detailed statements about their roles in organising and managing the crowd on the day.
The findings of the inspection are anticipated to form the basis for recommendations on future event protocols and may influence whether any officials or organisers face legal action for lapses in management. The state government has reiterated that accountability will be ensured and that lessons from the incident will guide improvements in handling large gatherings.
As the panel continues its work, the inspection at Salt Lake Stadium is seen as a key step in uncovering the causes behind the chaos and shaping reforms that strengthen safety and organisation for high profile events in the future.
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