Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) members raise slogans during protest (PTI image)
NEW DELHI: A show-cause notice was issued on Tuesday to West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar and Bidhannagar Commissioner of Police Mukesh Kumar over alleged lapses in crowd control, security deployment and coordination during the Lionel Messi GOAT Tour event at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. The event reportedly spiralled into chaos over the weekend, prompting administrative action by the state government.The action follows widespread disorder at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK), where thousands of fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the Argentine football icon, only to be left angry and frustrated after Messi’s brief and tightly controlled appearance ended abruptly amid crowd unrest, vandalism and damage to stadium property.
IPL Auction 2026
According to the West Bengal Chief Secretary, the probe panel, acting on a preliminary enquiry report dated December 15, served show-cause notices to DGP Rajeev Kumar and CP Mukesh Kumar, seeking explanations within 24 hours on why large-scale mismanagement occurred and why proper coordination with stakeholders, including the private organiser, was not ensured for the smooth conduct of the high-profile event. The state government also initiated departmental proceedings against Bidhannagar DCP Aneesh Sarkar for reported negligence in the discharge of his duties on the day of the event. He has been placed under suspension pending completion of the enquiry. State sports department principal secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha has also been served show-cause notice over the lapses, while the services of Deb Kumar Nandan, retired WBCS officer and CEO of the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan have been withdrawn with immediate effect for his role in the mismanagement.Chaos erupted on Saturday afternoon when Messi, accompanied by Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, arrived at the stadium around 11.30 am for what was billed as a marquee football celebration. Despite ticket prices ranging from Rs 4,500 to Rs 10,000, large sections of the crowd said they failed to get a clear view of the World Cup-winning captain, either from the stands or on the giant screens.Messi’s planned lap of honour was cut short as crowds surged towards the field, prompting security personnel to escort him off the ground within minutes. Bottles and plastic chairs were thrown from the stands, sponsor hoardings were pulled down, fibreglass seats were damaged and several spectators attempted to breach barricades. Police were forced to deploy the Rapid Action Force to regain control of the situation.The disorder led to the early termination of the programme, leaving several guests, including Shah Rukh Khan, Sourav Ganguly and chief minister Mamata Banerjee, unable to participate as scheduled.Police later detained Satadru Datta, the main organiser of the event, from Kolkata airport as Messi and his entourage departed for Hyderabad. DGP Rajeev Kumar said the organiser was detained over alleged mismanagement and had provided a written assurance that ticket money would be refunded to spectators who were disappointed after failing to see the football star.Chief minister Mamata Banerjee apologised to Messi and football fans, calling the incident “deeply disturbing”. She announced a high-level enquiry committee headed by retired Justice Ashim Kumar Ray to fix responsibility and recommend measures to prevent such incidents in the future.In addition, the state government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising IPS officers Piyush Pandey, Javed Shamim, Supratim Sarkar and Muralidhar to conduct a detailed probe into the incident. The SIT will examine planning failures, security arrangements, crowd management and coordination lapses that led to the breakdown of order inside the stadium.Kolkata, long known for its passion for football, had eagerly awaited Messi’s return to the city after his last visit in 2011. Instead, the much-anticipated GOAT Tour stop ended in anger, vandalism and sweeping administrative action, triggering one of the most serious accountability exercises ordered by the state government in connection with a sporting event in recent years. Go to Source
