Kolkata, August 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday extended interim protection from coercive police action, including arrest, to former West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas in a case concerning alleged irregularities during football star Lionel Messi’s ‘GOAT India Tour’ event in Kolkata.
A single-judge Bench of Justice Sougata Bhattacharya extended the protection till November 30. The earlier protection granted to Biswas was scheduled to expire on August 17.
Messi had arrived in Kolkata on December 13, 2025, for the event at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Salt Lake. The programme descended into chaos after crowd-management problems, with spectators alleging that their view of the Argentine football star was obstructed.
Biswas, who accompanied Messi during the event, was among those accused of blocking the view of spectators who had paid high prices for tickets. His associates were also reportedly around Messi, further restricting the spectators’ view.
The situation escalated as agitated spectators vandalised parts of the stadium, following which Messi left the venue within minutes amid security concerns.
Biswas faced severe criticism over the incident and subsequently resigned as the state Sports Minister.
Following an earlier order of the High Court, an independent committee is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disruption and Biswas’ alleged role in the events.
The development comes days after the West Bengal Police sought additional time from the High Court to submit its report on the events at the Salt Lake stadium.
Biswas is a four-time Trinamool Congress legislator from the Tollygunge Assembly constituency in southern Kolkata. He was defeated in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections.
Once considered a close and trusted lieutenant of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Biswas is now associated with the “rebel but majority” faction of the Trinamool Congress led by legislator Ritabrata Banerjee.
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