Calcutta HC denies urgent hearing to Aroop Biswas in Messi event case, advises anticipatory bail

Former West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas faced another legal setback in the alleged Messi event controversy after the Calcutta High Court declined to grant him immediate relief. On Tuesday, his legal team sought an urgent hearing regarding protection from possible arrest. Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya refused to accord priority to the matter and stated that such cases must proceed through the regular judicial process. The court advised Aroop Biswas to seek anticipatory bail if he apprehended arrest.

The case originates from an FIR lodged on May 17 at Bidhannagar South Police Station by Shatadru Dutta, one of the organizers associated with the proposed Lionel Messi tour. The complaint accuses Aroop Biswas of offences under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including ticket black-marketing, extortion, criminal intimidation, negligence in security arrangements related to the event, and allegations of cheating and fraud.

Police had directed Aroop Biswas to appear before investigators on June 4. Prior to the scheduled appearance, he contacted Bidhannagar South Police Station and subsequently filed an anticipatory bail application before the Barasat court. The Barasat court rejected the plea, following which he approached the Calcutta High Court seeking relief.

According to the case details, Aroop Biswas initially informed investigators that he was unwell and would be unable to appear for questioning for at least two weeks. Police did not accept the request and issued a fresh notice directing him to appear before Bidhannagar South Police Station by 11:00 a.m. on Monday. On Sunday, officers reportedly pasted two notices outside his residence.

The notices stated that no medical documents or reports had been submitted to support his claim of illness. Police maintained that he was required to appear before investigators as directed. According to the information available, Aroop Biswas has not yet appeared before the investigating officers, and no arrest has been reported in connection with the case.