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Kolkata Messi Chaos: How Stadium Mismanagement Sparked Investigation

An investigation into the chaotic Lionel Messi event in Kolkata has pointed to major lapses in supervision. The probe committee found banned items like water bottles and broken furniture scattered across the Salt Lake Stadium field. They've squarely placed responsibility on the police and Sports Department officials in charge that day. As a result, the committee has called for departmental action and recommended forming a Special Investigation Team to get to the bottom of it.

Key Points: Mamata Banerjee Committee Finds Mismanagement in Messi Event

  • Investigation committee identifies a critical lack of proper supervision as the primary cause of the stadium chaos
  • Committee finds broken chairs, gates, and banned water bottles littering the field after the event
  • A Special Investigation Team (SIT) with senior police officers has been recommended for a transparent probe
  • The police and Sports Department are held responsible and cannot evade accountability for the incident
3 min read

Messi event chaos: Investigation committee formed by Bengal CM finds gross mismanagement and lack of supervision

Probe into Lionel Messi's Kolkata event reveals gross mismanagement and lack of supervision, prompting calls for departmental action and an SIT.

"The question arises, how did food and water bottles get into the field? As far as I know, water bottles are not allowed inside the field. - Justice Asim Kumar Roy (retd)"

Kolkata, Dec 16

The committee, formed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, to probe the gross mismanagement during Lionel Messi's recent event at Salt Lake Stadium, on Tuesday, said that it has identified the lack of proper supervision as a reason for the chaos.

The revelation from the investigation committee, headed by Justice Asim Kumar Roy (retd), came after its members inspected several areas of the field and the galleries at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan stadium for the last two days.

On Tuesday morning, Justice Roy held a press conference to update on the progress of the investigation. He said that they have inquired about who was in charge on the day of Messi's visit. Additionally, the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been suggested for the Yuva Bharati incident.

He said that a lack of proper supervision has been identified in the entire incident.

"The question arises, how did food and water bottles get into the field? As far as I know, water bottles are not allowed inside the field. Yet, numerous broken chairs, broken gates, and water and soft drinks bottles were found lying on the field. We have learned from questioning those in charge that stalls were set up inside the stadium. However, everything is still under investigation. We initially believe that those who were in charge that day should have overseen this. Therefore, we have asked the government to take departmental action against them," he said.

The investigation committee, headed by the retired judge, submitted its preliminary report on the Yuva Bharati incident on Monday night.

According to the committee members, the police and the Sports Department were responsible for overseeing Messi's visit to Kolkata, and cannot evade responsibility.

The investigation committee formed by the Chief Minister has requested a detailed report on the matter from the officials concerned within 24 hours. It seeks information on who from the police or the Sports Department was in charge on the day of the incident and what plans were made in advance regarding the visit.

Thirdly, the retired judge said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been recommended to investigate the entire incident. The composition of the SIT will be officially decided by the government. However, it has been suggested that senior police officers be included in this special investigation team.

According to sources, since the incident occurred in Bidhannagar and the Bidhannagar police are investigating the matter, the formation of an SIT is being considered to ensure that there are no questions raised about the impartiality or transparency of the investigation.

The retired judge further said that during the inspection of the stadium, they checked whether the chairs could be easily thrown and whether the screws were loose. They will also investigate how food and water bottles entered the stadium despite the restrictions.

"A thorough investigation is needed to find out all this. That is the job of the police. Besides, we always see police officers in the galleries, and they intervene whenever there is any trouble. It is unclear why this did not happen that day. We cannot blame anyone without concrete evidence. We are examining everything. Everything will be known once the report is submitted," he added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Forming another committee to investigate a committee's findings? 🤔 While I agree accountability is needed, this feels like passing the buck. The Sports Dept and police knew the scale of the event. Why weren't proper protocols followed from the start? Hope the SIT actually fixes responsibility and doesn't just add to the paperwork.
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Rohit P
As someone who was there, it was pure madness. People were so excited to see Messi, but the organization was terrible. Water bottles were being sold inside! No wonder they ended up on the field. The police were just watching. Glad an investigation is happening, but the damage to Kolkata's reputation is done. 😞
S
Sarah B
It's a simple question of duty. If you are in charge, you are responsible. The report says they are checking if chair screws were loose? That's basic stadium maintenance that should be checked *before* a mega event, not after a disaster. This reflects a deeper culture of negligence.
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Vikram M
Finally some action! The SIT with senior police officers is a good step. Bidhannagar police investigating themselves would have raised questions. We need a transparent process. But more than punishment, we need a system so this never happens again during any major event at Yuva Bharati.
K
Kavya N
The fans' excitement is understandable, but indiscipline cannot be excused. Throwing bottles and breaking chairs? Shameful. However, the authorities failed in their primary job: crowd control and enforcing rules. Both sides need to learn a lesson. Hope Messi isn't put off from ever visiting India again!

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