Police orders Aroop Biswas to appear for questioning on Tuesday in Messi case

Former West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas has been issued a fresh summons by the Bidhannagar South Police Station in connection with the ongoing investigation into financial irregularities surrounding a Lionel Messi promotional event. The police have directed Biswas to appear at the station by 11:00 AM on Tuesday. This development follows a series of prior legal escalations where Biswas had initially skipped multiple summonses at his New Alipore residence before finally cooperating and recording his statements with investigators on June 18 and June 22.

The high-profile case stems from allegations of ticket blackmailing, abuse of power, and financial fraud connected to the Messi event hosted at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium). The controversy intensified in December last year when event organizer Satadru Dutta was arrested for corruption, though he was later released on bail. Following a political transition in the state, Dutta filed a formal police complaint against Biswas. The legal battle also moved to the Calcutta High Court, where Justice Saikat Roy ordered Biswas to comply with police scheduling, while simultaneously granting him temporary protection from coercive action until August 17.

Amidst the intensifying legal probe, Biswas has also undergone a significant political shift, distancing himself from his previous political affiliation with Mamata Banerjee's party to accept the position of Vice President within the current Ritabrata camp. Observers are closely watching the trajectory of the investigation as the Bidhannagar South Police continue to unearth financial details regarding the international event. Biswas's scheduled appearance on Tuesday is expected to focus further on the financial transactions and administrative clearances granted during his ministerial tenure.