Former West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas has been summoned again by the Bidhannagar South Police in connection with the alleged 'Messi controversy'. He has been directed to appear before investigators at 10 am on July 7.
The case stems from allegations surrounding football icon Lionel Messi's visit to Kolkata, which has remained a subject of political and sporting debate since last December.
The complaint was lodged by Satadru Dutta, the principal organiser of Messi's proposed India tour, after the change of government in the state. Dutta alleged that while 70,000 tickets were printed for an event at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan, Biswas forcibly took possession of 22,000 tickets. According to the complaint, the tickets were later sold at inflated prices.
Following the complaint, police initially asked Biswas to appear on June 4. However, he informed investigators that he was unable to attend due to ill health and sought at least two weeks' time. The investigating agency did not accept the request and later issued another notice directing him to appear on June 8.
A day before the scheduled appearance, police pasted two notices at Biswas' residence, stating that although he had cited health reasons, he had failed to submit any medical records or treatment documents to support his claim. Despite the notices, he did not appear before the police, and according to police sources, no communication was made through his legal counsel either.
Biswas has since obtained interim protection from the Calcutta High Court. Under the court's order, the police cannot take any coercive action against him until August 17. However, the High Court also directed him to fully cooperate with the investigation.
The former minister first appeared before investigators on June 18 and was questioned for nearly three and a half hours. He was summoned again on June 22 and underwent another round of questioning. According to police sources, investigators were not satisfied with the information provided during those sessions, prompting the latest summons for July 7.
Also read: Messi event chaos: Ex-minister Aroop Biswas appears before police
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