Sourav Ganguly Files Defamation Suit for ₹50 Crore Over Messi Event Claims

Sourav Ganguly, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, has filed a ₹50 crore defamation suit against Uttam Saha, the president of the Argentina Fan Club of Kolkata. The lawsuit is a response to Saha's public claims connecting Ganguly to issues at the Yuva Bharati Stadium during Lionel Messi's visit to Kolkata on December 13.

Ganguly's complaint, lodged at Lalbazar police station, asserts that Saha's statements have severely damaged his reputation and lack any factual basis. He characterized Saha's remarks as "false, malicious, offensive, and defamatory," accusing him of deliberately trying to harm his image.

Ganguly, who is currently the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), clarified that he attended the event at the stadium merely as a guest. He denied having any official involvement with the program featuring Messi.

The defamation suit represents a significant legal battle arising from the aftermath of Messi's highly anticipated but poorly managed appearance in Kolkata.

According to Ganguly's complaint, "Serious allegations are being made publicly without any factual basis."

The dispute stems from Saha's accusations that Ganguly was a middleman in Satadru Dutta's management of the event. Ganguly's legal team has sent Saha a notice, demanding a retraction of the statements and payment of damages.

Following the outbreak of chaos at the venue, Satadru Dutta, the event's primary organizer, was taken into custody for questioning.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued an apology on X, expressing regret for the mismanagement and to Messi and Kolkata's football fans who were unable to properly see the Argentinian star.

During the Messi event at Yuva Bharati Stadium, Ganguly was present but remained in a separate area. As disorder unfolded in the stands, Ganguly was observed leaving the stadium, visibly disappointed.

The Messi event was plagued by inadequate organization and crowd control, leading to widespread disappointment among fans. Many attendees, having paid considerable amounts for tickets, anticipated a memorable experience but instead encountered chaos. The situation quickly garnered criticism and international attention, highlighting problems in event planning and crowd management at major sporting events in India. The incident also sparked renewed discussions about VIP culture and access at significant sports events in the country. Reports and videos showed Messi's limited interaction with fans, while officials and invited guests dominated the field area, causing frustration among supporters.