Sourav Ganguly sends Rs 50 crore defamation notice over Messi fiasco allegations

Former India cricket captain and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has served a Rs 50 crore defamation notice to Uttam Saha , an official of the Kolkata-based Argentina Football Fan Club , for allegedly making “derogatory and defamatory” statements linking him to the Lionel Messi India tour fiasco.

Ganguly had also lodged a police complaint against Saha on Thursday, citing that the statements were false and damaging to his reputation.

In his statements, Saha alleged that Ganguly was the real organiser behind Lionel Messi’s G.O.A.T India tour, claiming that the now-arrested prime organiser, Satadru Dutta, was merely a front. Saha’s remarks suggested that Ganguly orchestrated the event behind the scenes, allegations the former cricketer described as baseless, false, and damaging to his reputation.

“Besides the police complaint, I have sent this official a Rs 50 crore legal notice. They keep saying anything that comes to their mind,” Ganguly said.

According to a police officer, Ganguly’s complaint stated that Saha deliberately levelled serious allegations without any factual basis, and an investigation is currently underway by the Cyber Cell of Kolkata Police.

In his legal notice, Ganguly emphasised that the baseless allegations were an attempt to tarnish the reputation he has built over decades as a sportsperson and sports administrator, both nationally and internationally.

The former cricketer was scheduled to felicitate the Argentine football legend alongside Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other dignitaries on December 13 at the Salt Lake Stadium, but the event was cancelled following a spectator rampage triggered by Messi’s premature exit.