After days of evasion and mounting pressure from law enforcement, former Sports and Power Minister Aroop Biswas finally appeared before the Bidhannagar South Police Station on Thursday morning in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities during footballer Lionel Messi’s visit to Kolkata, West Bengal.
Biswas arrived around 9.55 am, ahead of any immediate legal escalation, despite having earlier failed to comply with multiple police summons. He had been directed to appear by 12.00 pm on Tuesday following the issuance of a third notice, which required his presence within 48 hours. His continued absence had prompted the police to issue an ultimatum, warning that the matter would be taken to the High Court for further action due to non-cooperation.
The case stems from allegations made by event organiser Shatadru Dutta, who accused Biswas of mismanagement and irregularities surrounding the high-profile visit of Lionel Messi to the city. Dutta filed a formal complaint at the Bidhannagar South Police Station after the recent change in the state government, asserting that the investigation required questioning the former minister.
According to police sources, Biswas had remained untraceable since the announcement of election results, repeatedly avoiding summons issued by the investigating agency. In the interim, he approached the High Court seeking legal protection. The court granted him conditional relief, instructing him to cooperate fully with the investigation. However, his continued absence raised concerns about deliberate non-compliance.
The Bidhannagar South police, emphasising the importance of his testimony, maintained that Biswas’s role is crucial to uncovering the sequence of events and responsibilities tied to the controversial football event. His failure to appear on three consecutive occasions intensified scrutiny and led to the issuance of a final warning earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Dutta has also moved the Division Bench of the High Court, challenging the legal protection granted to Biswas. In his petition, Dutta argued that the investigation was being significantly hampered due to the former minister’s repeated failure to adhere to the court’s directive.
On Thursday, Biswas arrived at the police station under tight security arrangements, with additional forces deployed to ensure order and safety. Officials confirmed that he is currently being questioned as part of the ongoing probe.
The investigation continues to examine multiple aspects of the Messi-related event, with authorities indicating that further developments are expected based on Biswas’s statements and cooperation.
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