Kolkata: Police have begun identifying those involved in vandalism and arson at Salt Lake Stadium during the Lionel Messi event by scrutinising CCTV footage and visuals circulating on social media, officials said on Sunday. Several videos show stadium gates being smashed with iron rods, chairs ripped out and hurled, and sofa sets dragged out and set ablaze.
After the violence, footage also showed people walking away with stadium property, including carpets, chairs and flower pots, prompting police to treat the incident as large-scale damage to govt assets. The PWD has begun assessing the losses, which are estimated at over Rs 2.5 lakh at the preliminary stage.
The commissioner of Bidhannagar Police, Mukesh, said that apart from the arrest of event organiser Satadru Dutta, summons are being issued to several others linked to the organisation of the programme.
Investigators are also probing allegations of unauthorised sale of drinking water inside the stadium.
While spectators were barred from carrying water bottles beyond the entry gates, organisers allegedly sold bottles priced at Rs 20 for as much as Rs 200 inside the venue. Numerous sealed bottles were later found scattered near the main entrance.
"The process has begun to identify who engaged the vendors and how sales were conducted without police intimation," the commissioner said, adding that accountability would be fixed once the probe is completed.