Kolkata: A court here on Sunday sent Satadru Datta, the chief organiser of the Lionel Messi football event at Salt Lake stadium, where chaos erupted a day ago, to 14-day police custody, PTI reported, citing an official’s account.
Datta was arrested by the Bidhannagar Police on Saturday for “mismanagement” of the event from the Kolkata airport, where he had gone to see off Messi and his entourage on their way to Hyderabad.
The counsel, appearing for Datta, told the court that his client was being "victimised and framed", the officer said.
"We expect that the police investigation in the next 14 days will bring clarity," Datta's lawyer said.
BJP supporters held a protest outside the court when Datta was taken there.
What was supposed to be a marquee football spectacle turned into widespread violence and disorder at the stadium after Messi's brief and tightly ring-fenced appearance, his first at the venue since 2011, left large sections of the crowd frustrated.
They failed to catch a glimpse of their superstar despite having travelled from far and wide and paying hefty sums for tickets.
The police said they were also investigating how organisers allowed the sale of bottled waters and beverages inside the stadium premises, which are banned items during such events.
Football legend Lionel Messi spent hardly 25 minutes at the Salt Lake Stadium in the city after a huge number of fans began swarming around him to click photos, making it hugely uncomfortable for the Argentine superstar, according to NDTV.
Fans in their hundreds poured into the stands, paying whopping ticket prices to have a glimpse of the football icon when things went wrong.
At least a hundred people, including politicians, dignitaries, and security personnel, gathered around Messi when he appeared on the ground.
Fans waiting in the stands for a glimpse of the footballer could not see him and turned violent, forcing the player to leave the ground.
Former India midfielder Lalkamal Bhowmick, a player in the exhibition match that took place between Mohun Bagan Messi XI and the Diamond Harbour Messi XI, reportedly said that Messi lost his cool over the crowding at the venue.