Ganguly files ₹50 crore defamation suit over Messi Kolkata chaos
Ganguly files ₹50 crore defamation suit over Messi Kolkata chaos
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has filed a ₹50 crore defamation suit against a Kolkata fan-club official over allegations he organized Messi's Kolkata visit, a police complaint also filed.
Sourav Ganguly, the former India cricket captain and sports administrator, has filed a ₹50 crore defamation suit against Uttam Saha, president of the Argentina Football Fan Club in Kolkata. The suit follows statements that accused Ganguly of orchestrating Messi's GOAT India tour and alleged that the event’s chief organizer Satadru Dutta was a front. Ganguly said the remarks damaged his reputation and mental peace, and he has also lodged a police complaint with the Cyber Cell of the Kolkata Police.
In his complaint emailed to the Cyber Cell, Ganguly argued that the public statements were baseless and appeared to be an attempt to tarnish his hard-earned reputation. He emphasized that his professional career spans decades in sport and administration, and insisted that he played no part in organizing Messi’s visit beyond perhaps participating as a guest to felicitate the Argentine star and his entourage.
Uttam Saha’s remarks triggered a backlash among fans and sports officials, while authorities vowed to investigate. The incident has highlighted the sensitivity around high-profile sports events in the region, and the possibility of online speculation affecting reputations. The investigation is currently underway, with police examining the communications and statements circulated by the fan-club official.
The controversy comes as Messi’s Kolkata visit drew widespread attention and raised questions about event management, security, and online narratives around public figures. The episode underscores the increasingly litigious environment surrounding celebrity sporting events in India, where public figures often find themselves at the center of defamation disputes and investigations.
