Messi Kolkata Event Probe Escalates as Police Search Organiser Satadru Dutta’s Residence

The probe into the disorder that marred the high-profile appearance of Lionel Messi at Kolkata's Salt Lake stadium has intensified, with police widening their focus from crowd control failures to alleged large-scale financial irregularities.

A Special Investigating Team has searched the residence of event organiser Satadru Dutta in Rishra, uncovering fresh leads that investigators say point to serious violations linked to the event.

Dutta, who remains in police custody, is being questioned over planning lapses, security breaches and suspected illegal money flows connected to the Messi programme.

Limited passes, rising pressure claims

According to police officials, Dutta initially issued only 150 entry passes for the ground. During questioning, he told investigators that he later increased the number after coming under pressure from influential individuals. The SIT is now verifying who exerted this pressure and whether it contributed directly to the chaos that unfolded at the venue.

Investigators are also examining why established protocols were allegedly ignored despite clear warnings from Messi's security team.

Security warnings allegedly ignored

Dutta informed police that Messi's personal security staff had explicitly cautioned organisers that the footballer should not be touched. However, those instructions were allegedly disregarded during the event. Video footage circulating from the venue reportedly shows the state Sports Minister pulling Messi, a moment that has now become part of the investigation.

Police are analysing the footage to determine accountability and whether security guidelines were wilfully violated.

Bank accounts frozen, lavish house examined

As part of the financial probe, the SIT has frozen multiple bank accounts belonging to Dutta, containing around Rs 22 crore. Officials said the investigation is now looking into suspected financial irregularities that could run close to Rs 100 crore, allegedly linked to Messi-related activities.

During the raid at Dutta's three-storey residence, officers noted unusual features, including a swimming pool on one level, a football ground on the terrace and a large office setup. A team from the Bidhannagar Police detective department reached the house early on Saturday after coordinating with the Rishra police station.

'₹10-30 lakh for photos' claim under scanner

One of the most serious allegations under scrutiny relates to payments for photographs with Messi. Police have claimed that amounts ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 30 lakh were charged for such photographs. However, investigators say no official records of these transactions have been found so far.

They suspect that the money may have been collected in cash and are treating it as unaccounted income. Preliminary findings also suggest the possible involvement of office-bearers of the organising body and its associate organisers in these dealings.

The SIT is further questioning ticket sale claims. While organisers maintained that only half the tickets were sold and the rest distributed free, police have found records for nearly half the tickets missing. With Yuva Bharati stadium's capacity at around 66,000, investigators argue that giving away such a large number of tickets would have caused significant losses, an explanation they find implausible for a commercial sporting event.

Dutta was arrested on December 13, within hours of the chaos at the stadium, and police maintain that he bears primary responsibility for what they described as "serious lapses in planning and execution".