Calcutta High Court Declines Interim Relief Seeking CBI Probe Into Lionel Messi Incident

The Calcutta High Court has declined to grant interim relief seeking a CBI investigation into the chaos that occurred during footballer Lionel Messi’s visit to Kolkata on December 13 at the Salt Lake Stadium.

The Court noted that a criminal investigation by a State-constituted Special Investigation Team and an enquiry headed by a retired High Court judge are at a preliminary stage.

Reiterating that investigation is a statutory function of the police, it held that a CBI probe cannot be ordered on mere allegations.

The Court further observed that the State was competent under the Commissions of Enquiry Act, 1952, to appoint an enquiry committee. Notice was issued to the State and the event organiser, and the matter has been listed for February 16, 2026.

[Suvendu Adhikari & Anr. v. The State of West Bengal & Ors.]