Messi event organiser Satadru Dutta gets bail on Rs.10,000 bond

Kolkata-based sports promoter Satadru Dutta, the prime accused in the controversy surrounding Lionel Messi’s curtailed visit to the city, was granted bail on Monday by a Bidhannagar district court. Dutta was released on a bond of Rs 10,000 along with two security bonds after spending weeks in judicial custody.

The court’s order came after Dutta’s earlier bail plea had been rejected, with the prosecution strongly opposing his release. Prosecutors had described him as a “very influential” individual and argued that there was a possibility of him fleeing if granted bail.

Dutta was arrested on December 13, the day Messi’s appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium was cut short due to major security lapses and crowd unrest. During a previous hearing, the prosecution highlighted Dutta’s role as organiser of Messi’s India tour, citing it as evidence of his influence.

The prosecution also alleged large-scale mismanagement during the event, claiming that about 35,000 tickets were sold, generating nearly Rs 19 crore. It further alleged damage to government property worth around Rs 2 crore and accused Dutta of making an unlawful gain of Rs 20 lakh, along with violations of stadium rules.

Dutta’s defence had denied all allegations, stating that he had successfully organised major events in other cities without disruption and had obtained necessary permissions from the police. The defence also argued that there was no violation on the organiser’s part and that the revenue from ticket sales had already been frozen.