The Bidhannagar Sub-Divisional Court on Monday granted bail to Satadru Dutta, the organiser of football legend Lionel Messi’s event at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata in connection with the chaos that broke out during the event. He was released on a bond of Rs 10,000, along with two security bonds.
Dutta was arrested over alleged financial irregularities and disorder during Messi’s felicitation ceremony at Yuva Bharati Krirangan on December 13.
The event descended into chaos after angry fans threw bottles and chairs and resorted to vandalism after the footballer left early and they could not even have a proper glimpse of him.
The fans alleged that they paid up to Rs 20,000 for tickets but VIPs hogged the footballer’s time, leaving them disappointed.
During the initial hearings, the court had rejected his bail plea and sent him to nine-day custody. Before that, he was remanded to 14-day custody.
Earlier this month, when the court rejected his bail plea, his counsel made a controversial remark, saying that his client was “leading 3-0”.
The public prosecutor had submitted that there were financial irregularities amounting to around Rs 23 crore in organising the event. Additionally, government properties worth Rs 2 crore were damaged duei g the unrest that unfolded at the venue.
The prosecutor had opposed his bail, saying that Dutta is an influential person and could flee if granted bail.
“The fact that Satadru arranged Lionel Messi’s tour speaks volumes about how influential he is. He could flee if granted bail,” the public prosecutor argued.
The chaos and vandalism during Messi’s event had also led to the resignation of West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took over the responsibility of the Sports Department after his resignation.