Chaos Erupts at Messi's Event: Six Arrested as Investigation Unfolds

A chaotic scene unfolded during Lionel Messi's event at Salt Lake Stadium, leading to six arrests as a Special Investigation Team investigates the vandalism. The incident raised serious concerns about security measures at the venue, prompting the state government to take action. With more arrests possible, the investigation aims to uncover the details behind the unrest and assess the responsibilities of those involved. Fans were left disappointed as Messi's appearance was cut short, leading to a surge of disorder among the crowd. The aftermath has sparked discussions on enhancing security for future events.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 17, 2025, 17:54 IST

Arrests Made Following Vandalism at Messi's Event

Kolkata: In a recent development, a sixth individual has been apprehended in connection with the disturbances that occurred during Lionel Messi's event at Salt Lake Stadium on December 13, bringing the total number of arrests to six, as confirmed by the Bidhannagar police on Wednesday.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was established by the West Bengal government on Tuesday to delve into the incident.

The latest suspect, identified as Rupak Mandal, was arrested late Tuesday night. Authorities indicated that he will face charges of vandalism, public disorder, and disrupting law and order at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan.

Police sources have mentioned that additional suspects are being considered for questioning, and the number of arrests may rise as the investigation progresses, particularly after reviewing CCTV and other video evidence.

Investigators are focused on understanding how the situation escalated, identifying those who actively participated in the vandalism, and uncovering any instigators behind the scenes. Each arrested individual’s role is being scrutinized separately.

Given the gravity of the incident and concerns regarding security at Yuva Bharati, one of the state's key sports venues, the SIT aims to investigate how the chaos unfolded, pinpoint security failures, and determine if there was negligence from responsible parties.

SIT members visited the Yuva Bharati Krirangan on Wednesday to assess the damage and vandalism extent. They plan to compile a comprehensive report on the security measures in place during the event.

In light of this incident, the administration is contemplating enhanced security protocols for future large events at Yuva Bharati Krirangan, which may include increased police presence, stricter entry checks, and the implementation of advanced crowd control technologies.

On December 13, the stadium was packed well before Messi's arrival, with fans eager to catch a glimpse of the football star.

Upon Messi's arrival, a throng of fans surrounded him for photos, leading to a chaotic atmosphere where many complained they couldn't see him due to the crowd. Messi departed the field after just 22 minutes, after which the vandalism commenced.

Spectators began throwing chairs and bottles onto the field, and some broke through gates to enter the playing area.

The vandalism extended to the galleries and restrooms of the Yuva Bharati Krirangan. In response, the state government initiated an investigation committee. Event organizer Satadru Dutta was arrested, and on Tuesday, Aroop Biswas resigned as the state Sports Minister, while top IPS officials, including DGP Rajeev Kumar, received show-cause notices.