The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday granted interim protection to former West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas against any coercive action in connection with the chaos that marred Lionel Messi’s visit to the Salt Lake Stadium in December.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya directed Biswas, who had failed to comply with two notices issued by Bidhannagar police requesting him to appear for questioning, not to leave the station limits without court permission.
The court also ordered Biswas to surrender his passport to the court within seven days.
Moreover, the High Court directed him to appear before the investigating agency whenever he was summoned, provided the notice was served at least 48 hours in advance.
During the hearing, Judge Bhattacharyya noted that the incident had caused embarrassment, noting that Messi was forced to leave the Salt Lake Stadium due to the disorder.
The court noted that an excessive number of people were allowed on the premises and noted that Biswas was the state’s Sports Minister at the time.
The case will be heard again on August 4.
Published on June 10, 2026
