Former West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas has been summoned by the police for the third time regarding alleged mismanagement and financial irregularities related to Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour event held on December 14 last year. The Bidhannagar South Police Station issued a fresh notice directing Biswas to appear before investigators within 48 hours of receiving the summons. Biswas, a senior Trinamool Congress leader, has reportedly evaded earlier summonses and is currently unavailable to police officials.
The case originated from a complaint filed by Satadru Dutta, the principal organizer of Messi’s GOAT India Tour, accusing Biswas of involvement in ticket black-marketing, extortion, criminal intimidation, fraud, and security lapses during the event. The complaint was registered under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Despite previous summonses, Biswas failed to comply, citing health issues as a reason for non-appearance.
Biswas had sought anticipatory bail in a Barasat court, which was denied. He then approached the Calcutta High Court for protection from coercive action, receiving conditional relief. The High Court instructed police to provide a 48-hour notice before requiring his appearance and prohibited Biswas from leaving West Bengal without prior permission. As a third summons is issued, the focus shifts to whether Biswas will cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
