The cyber cell of Maharashtra police has issued fresh directions to ticketing platforms like BookMyShow and Zomato to prevent black-marketing of tickets for events of high demand. As per new guidelines, a person who has purchased a ticket cannot resell it if the individual is unable to attend the event.
As per the new directions, ticket-selling platforms must print the name of the individual on the passes at the time of issuing tickets and their identities must be checked when they are entering the venue for the programme. Maharashtra cyber cell chief Yashasvi Yadav said the fresh regulations are aimed at events and concerts where the demand far surpasses the supply of tickets.
The cyber cell chief noted the directions were issued after it came to light that a few individuals were buying tickets in bulk on the platforms, only to resell them later for exorbitant prices. “Individuals were buying 25-20 tickets for the purpose of black-marketing," NDTV reported quoting Yadav.
As per the new regulations, a ticket buyer who is unable to attend the event can only cancel the ticket, and it will not be transferable. “In such cases, just like for airlines, the user has to cancel the ticket and make a fresh booking. A refund will be issued as per the ticketing platform's policy," Yadav told NDTV.
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The Maharashtra police’s action comes after a huge row over the sale of tickets for British band Coldplay’s shows in India between January 18 and 26 and Diljit Dosanjh’s 'Dil-Luminati' show. While the tickets got sold out on the official ticket-selling platforms within minutes, they were being resold on reselling platforms for prices as high as Rs 7 lakh.
Maharashtra police conducted a probe following complaints from various quarters and even summoned BookMyShow’s CEO for interrogation. Separately, BookMyShow also filed a complaint with the police over black-marketing of tickets.
In October last year, the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at 13 locations across five states over the illegal sale of tickets. During the raids, the central agency seized several incriminating materials including mobile phones, laptops, SIM cards and other digital devices used for the scam.
