New Delhi: A major illegal ticket resale operation linked to the Indian Premier League has been uncovered in Bengaluru, leading to the arrest of a stadium canteen employee and the identification of a wider network involving insiders and corporate entities. The action took place at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where authorities cracked down on the black marketing of match tickets.
The accused, Chandrashekhar, was employed at a canteen within the stadium premises and is alleged to have sold over 100 Indian Premier League tickets at highly inflated rates. Investigators revealed that tickets were being sold for prices ranging between Rs 15,000 and Rs 19,000, far exceeding their original value. These transactions were reportedly arranged directly with buyers through phone calls.
The tickets in question included high demand matches featuring Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants. Authorities found that the accused had access to multiple seating categories, raising concerns about how such tickets were sourced and distributed.
During questioning, Chandrashekhar disclosed that the tickets were allegedly supplied by a member of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, identified as Ganesh Parikshit, who is currently absconding. Police suspect that tickets were initially allocated through corporate channels before being diverted to intermediaries for resale in the black market.
The investigation has since expanded, with officials examining the role of private firms believed to have facilitated the diversion of tickets. Cases have been registered against certain company executives, and notices have been issued to firms linked to ticket distribution. Authorities are now working to trace the entire network, including suppliers, middlemen, and end sellers.
Officials clarified that while reselling tickets is not illegal, selling them at inflated prices constitutes an offence. The probe, led by the Central Crime Branch, aims to dismantle the organised system behind such practices. Senior police officials noted that stricter monitoring and online ticketing systems have helped reduce black marketing, but enforcement efforts continue as new networks emerge.
