The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing on the challenge to the interim protection granted to former West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas in connection with the alleged irregularities surrounding the 2025 Lionel Messi event at Salt Lake Stadium.

A Division Bench presided by Acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakroborty deferred the matter till July 2, 2026, while directing that the interim protection granted to Biswas shall continue till the next date of hearing.

The appeal has been filed by event organiser Satadru Dutta, who has challenged the order of the Single Judge granting Biswas protection from coercive action during the investigation.

Earlier, the Single Bench had directed that no coercive steps be taken against Biswas without the Court's permission. The Court had, however, required him to cooperate with the investigation, appear before the investigating agency upon due notice, deposit his passport before the jurisdictional court, and refrain from leaving the station without prior permission.

The Single Judge had also directed the Bidhannagar Police Commissioner to conduct an independent inquiry into the alleged mismanagement of the Lionel Messi event and had sought reports on the progress of the investigation.

Dutta, in his appeal before the Division Bench, has questioned the grant of interim protection, contending that Biswas had failed to comply with earlier police notices and that custodial investigation should not be impeded. The appeal came up before the Division Bench on Tuesday but could not be heard finally.

The Division Bench has now posted the matter for July 2, 2026, and ordered that the interim protection in favour of Biswas shall continue till then.

Background

The proceedings arise out of an FIR lodged by organiser Satadru Dutta over the alleged chaos during football legend Lionel Messi's appearance at Salt Lake Stadium in December 2025. The complaint accuses Biswas of offences including criminal intimidation, extortion and abuse of official position in relation to the distribution of complimentary passes and alleged interference in the organisation of the event.

On June 10, the Single Bench granted Biswas interim protection while observing that he must cooperate with the investigation and that the probe could continue unhindered.

Case No: MAT/994/2026

Case: SATADRU DUTTA VS AROOP BISWAS AND ORS