Kolkata|21st December 2025:
An ongoing probe into the controversial Lionel Messi event held in Kolkata has intensified after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) conducted a raid at the residence of Satadru Dutta, the event’s chief organiser. The action follows large-scale chaos reported at Salt Lake Stadium, where the much-hyped event allegedly suffered from severe mismanagement & financial irregularities.
According to senior police officials, the SIT is scrutinising suspected financial discrepancies amounting to nearly ₹100 crore, allegedly linked to the planning & execution of the Messi event. Investigators believe that several transactions related to sponsorships, ticketing, hospitality & promotional activities may not have been properly documented.
Sources within the police department revealed that ₹10–30 lakh was allegedly charged for individual photo opportunities with football superstar Lionel Messi. However, during the preliminary investigation, officials claimed no official records, receipts, or tax filings have been found to substantiate these high-value transactions. This has raised serious questions about possible money laundering, tax evasion, and violation of event management norms.
The SIT raid reportedly focused on recovering financial documents, digital devices, contracts & communication records from the organiser’s residence. Officials are also examining bank accounts, payment trails to determine whether funds were siphoned off or routed through undisclosed channels.
The Messi event, which was expected to be a landmark sporting spectacle in the city, instead turned chaotic as overcrowding, lack of crowd control, alleged mismanagement led to public outrage. Several attendees complained of poor arrangements despite paying hefty sums, prompting authorities to order a detailed investigation.
Police officials stated that more summons may be issued and further raids cannot be ruled out as the probe progresses. Meanwhile, Satadru Dutta has not issued any official statement in response to the allegations so far.
Authorities have assured that the investigation will be conducted in a transparent manner and that strict action will be taken, if financial misconduct is established as public trust &
the reputation of international sporting events in India are at stake.
