News for '-salt-lake'

Mohun Bagan to face Kerala Blasters in ISL opener

Mohun Bagan to face Kerala Blasters in ISL opener

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs East Bengal ISL derby on May 3 as per tentative schedule

Mukul Roy, ex-railway minister and TMC leader, passes away

Mukul Roy, ex-railway minister and TMC leader, passes away

Rediff.com3 days ago

Veteran politician and former railway minister Mukul Roy, a key figure in West Bengal politics, has died due to cardiac arrest, marking the end of a significant era.

MLS Kicks Off Pivotal Season With Messi, Son In Spotlight

MLS Kicks Off Pivotal Season With Messi, Son In Spotlight

Rediff.com6 days ago

MLS begins a transformative season with Lionel Messi, Son Heung-min and record transfers as North America prepares to host the World Cup.

Why Messi left in 22 mins: Inside Kolkata's event failure

Why Messi left in 22 mins: Inside Kolkata's event failure

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

What should have been a landmark footballing moment in Kolkata turned into a cautionary tale on Saturday morning, as Lionel Messi's brief appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium was cut short amid crowd mismanagement

Mamata apologises to Messi, fans after chaos at Kolkata event; orders probe

Mamata apologises to Messi, fans after chaos at Kolkata event; orders probe

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Stating that she was shocked and deeply disturbed by the 'mismanagement' at the Lionel Messi event in Kolkata, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced the constitution of a high-level committee to probe the incident.

Mamata apologises to Messi, fans after chaos at Kolkata event; orders probe

Mamata apologises to Messi, fans after chaos at Kolkata event; orders probe

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has ordered a high-level probe into the alleged mismanagement at the Lionel Messi event in Kolkata, after fans were unable to catch a glimpse of the football star.

Messi's Brief Visit Sparks Chaos At Kolkata Stadium

Messi's Brief Visit Sparks Chaos At Kolkata Stadium

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Angry fans hurled bottles and damaged fibreglass seats, forcing the police to intervene as they struggled to bring the situation under control at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.

Messi Tour: Bhutia lambasts VIPs for chaos in Kolkata

Messi Tour: Bhutia lambasts VIPs for chaos in Kolkata

Rediff.com21 Dec 2025

Sports must get priority over political, bureaucratic formalities: Bhutia

Messi event organiser detained in Kolkata over chaos

Messi event organiser detained in Kolkata over chaos

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

The police in Kolkata have arrested the organiser of the event surrounding Argentine footballer Lionel Messi's visit to the Salt Lake Stadium after chaos broke out when the superstar stayed only for a few minutes and was not visible to most fans in attendance.

TMC, BJP spar over 'saffron flags' at Messi event

TMC, BJP spar over 'saffron flags' at Messi event

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

The TMC and BJP have engaged in a blame game following a chaotic Lionel Messi event at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, which saw spectators storming the field and the main organiser being arrested for alleged mismanagement.

'Cancelled our honeymoon to see Messi'

'Cancelled our honeymoon to see Messi'

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

A newly-married couple in Kolkata revealed that they cancelled their honeymoon to catch a glimpse of Messi in Kolkata.

Will Kolkata fiasco dent India's Olympic hosting chances?

Will Kolkata fiasco dent India's Olympic hosting chances?

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) issued a statement clarifying that Lionel Messi's event in Kolkata was a private event organised by a PR agency and the federation was not involved in the "planning or execution" of the event at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.

Messi meets Parth Jindal as India Tour hits Mumbai

Messi meets Parth Jindal as India Tour hits Mumbai

Rediff.com14 Dec 2025

Messi has been accompanied throughout the tour by Luis Surez and Rodrigo De Paul. During his Mumbai visit, the football icon met Parth Jindal, owner of Bengaluru FC and co-owner of Delhi Capitals.

896 Balls, One GOAT: Inside Kolkata's Messi Fan Zone

896 Balls, One GOAT: Inside Kolkata's Messi Fan Zone

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

Between 9 and 13 December, the Argentina Football Fans Club of Kolkata is turning Aikatan, a cultural hub just a short walk from Salt Lake Stadium, into a full-blown Messi fan zone, drenched in Argentina's blue and white.

After Babri-style mosque, Ayodhya-style Ram Mandir proposed in Bengal

After Babri-style mosque, Ayodhya-style Ram Mandir proposed in Bengal

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Posters announcing plans for an Ayodhya-style Ram temple complex in Salt Lake have appeared, escalating the political duel between religious groups ahead of the Bengal assembly polls. The proposed complex includes a school, hospital, and old-age home.

Messi event organiser in Kolkata sent to 14-day police custody

Messi event organiser in Kolkata sent to 14-day police custody

Rediff.com14 Dec 2025

The chief organizer of the Lionel Messi football event at Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata, where chaos erupted, has been remanded to 14-day police custody. The arrest follows allegations of mismanagement during Messi's appearance, which led to widespread frustration and vandalism among spectators.

Mamata took away 'key evidence' during raid: ED's big charge

Mamata took away 'key evidence' during raid: ED's big charge

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

The ED said the actions of Banerjee and the Kolkata Police commissioner resulted in "obstructions" in the ongoing investigation and proceedings being undertaken as per the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

'All The Ministers Surrounded Messi, We Couldn't See Anything'

'All The Ministers Surrounded Messi, We Couldn't See Anything'

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Lionel Messi's much-hyped visit to the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday lasted 22 minutes, just enough to underline everything that is wrong in Indian football and the state administration's mismanagement.

From mayhem to magic: How Messi changed lives in Kolkata

From mayhem to magic: How Messi changed lives in Kolkata

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Lionel Messi's GOAT Tour began amid chaos and vandalism at the Salt Lake Stadium, but for former India players Dipendu Biswas and Syed Rahim Nabi, it still turned into the moment of a lifetime in Kolkata on Saturday.

'Unsettling precedent': I-PAC breaks silence over ED raids

'Unsettling precedent': I-PAC breaks silence over ED raids

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Political consultancy firm I-PAC has reacted to the Enforcement Directorate's raids at its Kolkata premises, calling it an "unsettling precedent." The raids have triggered political upheaval in West Bengal, where elections are due in months. The firm, engaged by the TMC, said it would continue to work in an "unfazed and unperturbed" manner.

Messi event fiasco: Mamata accepts sports minister's resignation

Messi event fiasco: Mamata accepts sports minister's resignation

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accepted Aroop Biswas's resignation as the sports minister in the wake of the controversy over the mismanagement of football icon Lionel Messi's event last week, a senior leader of the ruling Trinamool Congress said.

Messi Returns To India But Won't Kick A Ball

Messi Returns To India But Won't Kick A Ball

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi is not scheduled to play serious football on the 'G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025'.

Messi arrives in Hyderabad for second leg of GOAT India Tour

Messi arrives in Hyderabad for second leg of GOAT India Tour

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Argentine football icon Lionel Messi arrived in Hyderabad for the second leg of his GOAT India Tour 2025 on Saturday evening, after a chaotic start to the much-anticipated event in Kolkata.

Hyderabad shows how it's done as Messi delivers

Hyderabad shows how it's done as Messi delivers

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Lionel Messi's programme in Hyderabad was in stark contrast to the mayhem in Kolkata as the second leg of the GOAT India Tour ended on a positive note thanks to thorough preparations, sound planning, and discipline.

ED raids I-PAC office, director Pratik Jain's home

ED raids I-PAC office, director Pratik Jain's home

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC and the home of its director Pratik Jain in Kolkata as part of a money laundering probe into an alleged multi-crore rupee coal pilferage scam.

World's largest Messi statue unveiled in Kolkata

World's largest Messi statue unveiled in Kolkata

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi on Saturday virtually unveiled his towering 70-foot statue at Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, Kolkata.

SC observations on ED raids a 'serious indictment' of Mamata: BJP

SC observations on ED raids a 'serious indictment' of Mamata: BJP

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

The BJP has criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee following Supreme Court observations regarding obstructions during ED raids at I-PAC premises, alleging abuse of power and shielding of those accused of corruption.

Legends meet! SRK and AbRam's fan moment with Messi

Legends meet! SRK and AbRam's fan moment with Messi

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

While most fans were left disappointed at the stadium, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan did get his moment with the football legend.

Security breach, crowd chaos mar Messi's Kolkata visit

Security breach, crowd chaos mar Messi's Kolkata visit

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Lionel Messi's brief appearance in Kolkata was marred by security breaches and crowd management issues, raising concerns about planning and coordination. Eyewitness accounts and social media footage reveal a chaotic scene with organizers and VIPs crowding the player, leading to his early withdrawal and subsequent protests.

Kolkata marks hockey centenary with India's largest stadium

Kolkata marks hockey centenary with India's largest stadium

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

Beighton Cup to throw open '22,000-seat' hockey stadium in Salt Lake.

Who is Satadru Dutta? The man behind Messi's India Tour

Who is Satadru Dutta? The man behind Messi's India Tour

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Satadru Dutta's rise was swift and ambitious. But that journey took a dramatic nosedive on Saturday.

Chaos at Messi's Kolkata event sparks political slugfest

Chaos at Messi's Kolkata event sparks political slugfest

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Political parties in West Bengal, including the ruling TMC and opposition BJP, have condemned the organizers of an event featuring Lionel Messi in Kolkata after it descended into chaos due to spectators' inability to properly view the football star. Demands for action and accountability have been made.

ED seeks CBI probe against Mamata after raid disruption

ED seeks CBI probe against Mamata after raid disruption

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Calcutta High Court, seeking a CBI investigation into the role of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, senior police officials and others for allegedly obstructing its raids in Kolkata against political consultancy firm I-PAC and its director in connection with an alleged coal scam.

Messi Lands In Kolkata Amid Massive Fan Frenzy

Messi Lands In Kolkata Amid Massive Fan Frenzy

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Argentine superstar footballer Lionel Messi's touchdown in Kolkata in the early hours of Saturday sent the city into a frenzy.

Mamata hits streets, ups ante against Centre as ED row escalates

Mamata hits streets, ups ante against Centre as ED row escalates

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a protest march in Kolkata against Enforcement Directorate searches linked to I-PAC, signaling a show of strength ahead of the 2026 assembly polls. The march featured cultural elements and participation from party members and celebrities.

From BJP war room to TMC strategist: Who is Pratik Jain?

From BJP war room to TMC strategist: Who is Pratik Jain?

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

Despite his influence, Pratik Jain avoids the spotlight. Credit is routinely passed on to colleagues. He maintains no visible faction within the TMC, no personal coterie.

Messi Thanks India After G.O.A.T. tour

Messi Thanks India After G.O.A.T. tour

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

'...we carry all this love with us, and we will definitely return, hopefully one day to play a match or on another occasion, but we will definitely return to visit India.'

'While Messi draws crowds, Indian football hits standstill'

'While Messi draws crowds, Indian football hits standstill'

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

Indian men's football team captain Sandesh Jhingan on Wednesday questioned the logic of spending crores on Lionel Messi's high-profile 'GOAT Tour', saying the extravagance has forced him to think if anyone is really concerned about investing in Indian football, which has effectively come to a standstill.

Delhi gives Messi's India Tour the perfect ending

Delhi gives Messi's India Tour the perfect ending

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

The Lionel Messi G.O.A.T. India Tour that began in shambolic fashion ended in a blaze of glory as devotional fans joyously gathered to catch a glimpse of a man that does things on the field that are often beyond human comprehension.

Mamata storms I-PAC chief's house during ED raid, alleges bid to seize TMC data

Mamata storms I-PAC chief's house during ED raid, alleges bid to seize TMC data

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday dramatically turned up at the residence of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) chief Pratik Jain amid an ongoing Enforcement Directorate raid, alleging that the central agency was attempting to seize the Trinamool Congress's internal documents, hard disks and sensitive data linked to its election strategy.