Calcutta HC Refuses to Interfere in SIT Probe into Lionel Messi Event Chaos

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{ "title": "Calcutta HC Refuses to Interfere in SIT Probe into Lionel Messi Event Chaos", "article": "The Calcutta High Court has declined to intervene in the ongoing investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the chaos that erupted during Argentine football legend Lionel Messi's event at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata on December 13. A division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen, held that the investigation is still in its preliminary stages and that no evidence has been presented to suggest that it is compromised or flawed. The court was hearing three public interest litigations (PILs) filed by petitioners, including Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who sought the transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the refund of ticket prices to spectators who were unable to see Messi due to the chaos. The petitioners argued that the SIT investigation was biased and that the event management company, which organized the event, should be held responsible for the fiasco. However, the court rejected their prayer for interim relief, stating that it is not inclined to interfere with the investigation at this stage. The court also noted that the state government and the event management company have been directed to file their affidavits-in-opposition to the petitioners' contentions within four weeks, and that the petitioners can file their affidavits-in-reply within two weeks thereafter. The three PILs will be taken up for hearing again in the week commencing February 16. In its order, the court observed that an investigation cannot be directed to be transferred to the CBI or any other agency merely on the basis of allegations. The court also noted that the state government had issued a show cause letter to the Director General of Police over the incident, and that the owner of the event management company, Satadru Dutta, had been arrested by the police. The court's decision has come as a setback to the petitioners, who had sought a thorough investigation into the incident and the refund of ticket prices to spectators."