Arup Biswas faces FIR in Messi event case; Shatadru says "Satyamev Jataye"

The Bidhannagar South Police Station has registered a formal FIR against West Bengal's former Sports Minister, Arup Biswas, in connection with alleged irregularities during the Lionel Messi event held at Yuva Bharati Stadium. The complaint, lodged by the event’s main organizer, Satadru Dutta, accuses the former minister of several serious offenses, including criminal intimidation, extortion, and the black marketing of approximately 22,000 tickets. Sources indicate that the Bidhannagar Commissionerate may summon Biswas for questioning very soon as the investigation gains momentum under the new state administration.

The legal action stems from a complaint filed on May 17, citing various sections of the Indian Penal Code related to cheating and criminal conspiracy. Dutta has alleged that during the "Messi Got Tour," the former minister leveraged his influence to bypass security protocols, entering the field without permission to approach the football legend. Furthermore, the organizer claimed there was deliberate negligence regarding the security of the high-profile event and cited consistent harassment by Biswas and his associates during the planning and execution stages.

The political atmosphere surrounding the case intensified after the new Sports Minister, Nishith Pramanik, recently hinted at reopening files related to the Messi event. Following the registration of the FIR, Satadru Dutta took to social media to post a copy of the document with the caption "Satyamev Jayate" (Truth alone triumphs). In his post, the businessman expressed his gratitude toward Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Sports Minister Nishith Pramanik, and the Director General of Police for their "zero tolerance" approach toward corruption.