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A police complaint alleging major security lapses during Lionel Messi’s December 2025 Kolkata event has been filed before Bidhannagar South Police Station by the organiser.
Lionel Messi in Kolkata (Photo: PTI)
A formal police complaint alleging major security lapses during the ‘GOAT India Tour – Kolkata Edition’ featuring Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has been filed before the Bidhannagar South Police Station in Kolkata.
The complaint was submitted by event organiser Satadru Dutta on May 18, 2026, seeking an investigation into alleged unlawful intrusion into restricted security zones, collapse of perimeter control and disruption during the high-profile programme held at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on December 13, 2025.
According to the complaint, all statutory permissions and operational clearances for the event had been obtained in advance from authorities, including the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate, Fire and Emergency Services, and stadium authorities.
The organiser alleged that multiple coordination meetings had taken place with senior police officials regarding crowd management, restricted-access movement, accreditation procedures and security arrangements surrounding Messi’s visit to Kolkata.
In the complaint, Dutta claimed he had personally raised concerns about possible unauthorised access during meetings with senior police officials, including former West Bengal Director General of Police Rajiv Kumar and the then ADG Law and Order, ahead of the event.
The complaint further alleged that several individuals entered the field of play in an “unauthorised manner”, resulting in disruption of the programme, a breakdown of security arrangements and vandalism inside the stadium by spectators.
Dutta has sought police action against former West Bengal Sports Minister Arup Biswas, Juin Biswas, IAS officer Santanu Basu, former DGP Rajiv Kumar and others allegedly connected to the incident.
The complaint also stated that the organiser did not file the case earlier due to apprehensions about not receiving cooperation from the previous administration.
It claimed that the complaint was being formally lodged after the “change of guard” in the West Bengal government.
WHAT HAPPENED DURING MESSI’S KOLKATA VISIT
Lionel Messi’s Kolkata visit in December 2025 had generated massive public interest, with thousands of football fans gathering inside and outside Salt Lake Stadium to catch a glimpse of the World Cup-winning footballer.
Media reports at the time had highlighted unprecedented crowd turnout and elaborate security arrangements for the event.
Messi attended the ‘GOAT India Tour – Kolkata Edition’ event at the stadium amid tight security.
The programme included stage appearances, interactions and football-related promotional activities organised as part of the tour.
However, visuals and reports from the event had also shown moments of crowd unrest and breaches of security cordons.
Some spectators allegedly entered restricted zones and moved towards the playing area despite security deployment at the venue.
Videos circulating on social media had shown confusion inside parts of the stadium during portions of the programme.
According to the complaint now filed by the organiser, these incidents amounted to a serious security failure that disrupted the event and endangered safety protocols put in place for Messi’s visit.
The complaint alleged that despite planning meetings and discussions regarding perimeter control and restricted movement, security arrangements failed to prevent unauthorised entry into sensitive areas of the venue.
The organiser has also claimed that property inside the stadium was damaged during the disruption caused by spectators entering restricted sections.
Documents attached with the complaint reportedly include police permission and NOC papers, Fire and Emergency Services clearance, stadium authority approvals and email communications concerning crowd management and security protocols.
No official response from the accused individuals or the police authorities was available at the time of publishing.
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