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Mumbai Police Probes Ticket Scam Allegations
The CEO and co-founder of BookMyShow, Ashish Hemrajani, alongside the company’s technical head, has been summoned by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police. This summons follows allegations of black marketing and fraudulent sale of tickets for Coldplay’s highly anticipated concerts at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, scheduled from January 19 to 21, 2025. The EOW began investigating the case after receiving a formal complaint from advocate Amit Vyas, who accused the platform of enabling third-party ticket resales at inflated prices.
Concert Tickets Resold at Exorbitant Prices
According to Vyas’ complaint, tickets for Coldplay’s upcoming concert, initially priced at ₹2,500, were being resold by brokers and social media influencers for as much as ₹3 lakh. He claims this has not only deceived fans but also encouraged an underground market for concert tickets, exploiting people’s desire to see the British rock band perform after an eight-year hiatus from India.
The EOW has already recorded Vyas’ statement and begun identifying several brokers involved in the alleged scam. The next step in the investigation involves taking formal statements from Hemrajani and BookMyShow’s technical head on Saturday, in a bid to understand the role the company might have played in this situation.
Political Backlash Over Ticket Fraud
This controversy has sparked outrage not only among fans but also within political circles. The opposition Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) raised concerns about a potential “nexus” behind the black marketing of Coldplay concert tickets. Party spokesperson Anand Dubey penned a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, calling for a thorough investigation into the case. He highlighted the speed at which tickets were sold online, leaving genuine fans disappointed.
“It appears that there may be a nexus engaged in black-marketing, exploiting the excitement of young fans who are willing to spend large amounts of their parents’ hard-earned money to attend this concert,” Dubey stated. He urged Shinde to intervene and ensure that corrective measures are taken to prevent such incidents in future.
The BJP has also expressed concern, with spokesperson Ram Kadam taking a strong stance on this issue. “Whoever is involved in this matter should be in jail. We will not allow any black marketing in the state,” Kadam said, signaling that the ruling party is ready to take action if the allegations are proven.
Technical Glitches and Concert Demand Surge
BookMyShow’s technical difficulties have compounded the controversy. When the ticket sale for Coldplay’s concert opened on September 22, the platform crashed due to overwhelming demand. Tickets were reportedly sold out within minutes, with fans complaining about the unavailability despite refreshing the page constantly.
In response to the overwhelming fan demand, Coldplay added a third show in Mumbai as part of their “Music of the Spheres World Tour 2025.” The band, set to return to India after almost a decade, has seen an enthusiastic response from fans, making the concert one of the most anticipated events of the coming year.
Call for Strict Action Against Scalping
The EOW is intensifying its investigation to uncover the extent of the alleged black-market operation and its impact on Coldplay’s Indian fanbase. With ticket prices skyrocketing from ₹2,500 to ₹3 lakh, the incident has spotlighted how digital platforms and third-party brokers can manipulate demand for high-profile events.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are urged to take stricter actions to curb the resale of concert tickets at inflated prices. Fans, disappointed by the limited availability and high resale prices, are now looking to the police and the government to ensure fairness in the distribution of tickets.
The investigation into this alleged scam comes at a crucial time for BookMyShow, as the platform faces scrutiny for its role in what could be a significant blow to its credibility. If these allegations prove to be true, it could have lasting repercussions on the company’s standing in the ticketing industry.
Conclusion
The alleged black marketing of Coldplay concert tickets has set off a series of investigations and political reactions. As the Mumbai Police’s EOW intensifies its probe, the involvement of BookMyShow and third-party brokers will come under closer scrutiny. Fans and authorities hope for a resolution that curbs illegal ticket sales and ensures future events are free from such controversies.
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