Aroop Biswas withdraws anticipatory bail plea in Messi event case

Former West Bengal minister Aroop Biswas withdrew his anticipatory bail application from the Barasat District Court on Tuesday in connection with a case linked to the Messi event. The matter was scheduled for hearing, but his legal representatives informed the court that they were not pressing the application.

The case stems from an FIR registered on May 17 based on a complaint filed by Shatadru Dutta, the principal organiser of the Messi event. The complaint includes allegations of ticket black-marketing, illegal collection of money, criminal intimidation, fraud, and other offences. Police subsequently initiated an investigation into the matter.

Police from Bidhannagar South Police Station had earlier summoned Aroop Biswas for questioning in connection with the case. However, he did not appear before investigators and sought additional time, citing illness. Questions regarding his whereabouts have continued since the notice was issued.

Prior to Tuesday’s hearing, Aroop Biswas had approached the district court seeking anticipatory bail. During the proceedings, his lawyers informed the court that they did not wish to pursue the application further before the district court judge, resulting in the withdrawal of the plea.

According to court sources, Aroop Biswas is expected to move the Calcutta High Court regarding the same matter. Government lawyer Dulal Sarkar stated that the legal team may have withdrawn the petition because anticipatory bail was unlikely to be granted by the district court.