The petitions request the court’s involvement to transfer the investigation into the stadium violence to central agencies like the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO).
The petitions, filed separately by the state’s Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and advocates Sabyasachi Chattopadhyay and Mainak Ghoshal, are expected to be heard together later this week.
Advocate Bilwadal Bhattacharya, representing Adhikari, sought the court’s permission to file a petition aimed at uncovering the causes behind Saturday’s crowd unrest.
He also challenged the authority of the inquiry committee established by the state government, led by retired justice Ashim Kumar Ray.
The petitioner claimed that the unfolding events have resulted in a significant loss of face for West Bengal internationally.
The other two petitions asserted that the state-appointed committee was formed hastily, requesting an investigation into potential financial irregularities in ticket sales and suspicious financial transactions associated with the event.
Bidhannagar Police, currently investigating the matter, have instructed the freezing of the bank accounts of the organization responsible for ticket sales and distribution, and halted all financial transactions between this organization and Shatadru Dutta, the event’s main organizer, who has been arrested, according to officials.
The high-level committee, chaired by retired justice Ashim Kumar Ray and including the chief secretary and home secretary, visited the damaged stadium on Sunday to assess the situation and informed reporters that it will submit its findings within the next fortnight.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the formation of the committee just hours after the incident, stating its purpose includes determining accountability and suggesting measures to prevent such events in the future.
It is estimated that spectator unrest resulted in damages exceeding Rs 2 crore to the stadium, as attendees, frustrated by Messi’s brief and closely-guarded appearance, which was his first at the venue since 2011, had traveled from far and wide, spending substantial amounts on tickets but failing to see their idol.
