Telangana Police Detain BJP Leaders Protesting Alleged ₹100 Crore Messi Match Funding

Overview

• Police stopped a sit-in outside the SCCL corporate office in Hyderabad and detained BJP legislature party leader A. Maheshwar Reddy and other leaders, moving them to the Begum Bazar police station.
• BJP alleges about ₹100 crore in public or state-linked funds are being used for an exhibition featuring Lionel Messi and demands a detailed explanation from the chief minister.
• Leaders claim money was routed through government departments, including SCCL sponsorship, and say diverting employee welfare funds would constitute an economic misuse.
• They argue the event lacks Cabinet approval and cite projected costs for player security, flight tickets and honorariums, warning the Uppal Stadium cricket pitch could be damaged.
• The party vows to continue protests until the funding is clarified, and these reports did not include any official response from the government or SCCL.