In a developing controversy, Ashish Hemrajani, the CEO of Big Tree Entertainment—the parent company of BookMyShow—has been summoned by the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW). This action follows allegations that BookMyShow is involved in the illegal resale of tickets for the highly anticipated Coldplay concert scheduled for January 2025 in Mumbai. The event, to be held at DY Patil Stadium from January 19 to 21, has generated significant excitement among fans, making it one of the most sought-after concerts of the year.
Allegations and Investigation
The accusations came to light when a complaint was filed by Mumbai-based lawyer Amit Vyas, who accused BookMyShow of facilitating black market ticket sales. According to the complaint, tickets originally priced at ₹2,500 were being resold for exorbitant amounts, with some fetching up to ₹3 lakh. Vyas has demanded that an FIR be filed against BookMyShow for cheating the public and misusing its platform.
The EOW has already started investigating the matter, and several brokers have been identified as part of the illegal reselling network. Hemrajani, along with BookMyShow’s technical head, has been summoned to provide statements and assist in the investigation. This case has cast a shadow on the credibility of the ticketing giant, which is the official ticket partner for the Coldplay event.
Coldplay Concert: The Demand and Chaos
Coldplay’s upcoming concert marks their return to India after an eight-year hiatus, heightening demand for tickets. Fans were quick to snap up tickets during the initial sales, leading BookMyShow to add an additional show due to overwhelming demand. However, the ticketing experience has been far from smooth, with complaints about website crashes and widespread frustration among fans who couldn’t secure tickets.
Advocate Amit Vyas has called the situation “a public cheating scandal,” citing that BookMyShow’s system allowed unauthorized sellers to acquire large quantities of tickets, which were then resold at inflated prices. He also highlighted that social media influencers and third-party vendors were openly promoting the resale of tickets at exorbitant prices, further aggravating the issue.
BookMyShow, for its part, has denied involvement in any illegal activities. In a public statement, the company urged fans to purchase tickets only through authorized channels to avoid falling victim to scams and fake tickets. The platform reiterated that scalping is illegal and punishable under Indian law. Despite this, the controversy continues to grow as more people come forward, claiming they were cheated in the rush to attend the concert.
Broader Impact on the Industry
This incident is not just a setback for BookMyShow but also raises larger concerns about ticketing practices in India. Ticket reselling, or “scalping,” has long been an issue, particularly for high-profile events such as international concerts, sports matches, and movie premieres. Despite existing laws, the enforcement of anti-scalping regulations remains weak, allowing illegal reselling to thrive in both offline and online spaces.
BookMyShow, as India’s largest online ticketing platform, has been at the center of similar controversies before, but the scale of the Coldplay concert fiasco is unprecedented. If found guilty of facilitating ticket scalping, the platform could face severe penalties, and the company’s reputation could suffer a major blow.
Legal Ramifications and Next Steps
The ongoing investigation by the EOW will be crucial in determining the extent of BookMyShow’s involvement in the alleged ticketing scam. Legal experts suggest that if the company is found guilty of fraud, it could face hefty fines, and its executives could face criminal charges. The possibility of an FIR being filed is still on the table, depending on the evidence gathered during the investigation.
In the meantime, fans are urged to exercise caution and avoid purchasing tickets from unauthorized sellers, as they may end up with invalid or fake tickets. The Mumbai Police has assured the public that they are taking the matter seriously and will take appropriate action against all those involved in the scam.
Conclusion
The Coldplay ticketing scandal has put the spotlight on the murky world of ticket scalping in India, raising questions about the transparency and ethics of platforms like BookMyShow. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the allegations will lead to criminal charges, but one thing is certain: the case has already left a bad taste in the mouths of Coldplay fans and could have far-reaching consequences for India’s entertainment industry.
For now, all eyes are on the Mumbai Police and the Economic Offences Wing as they continue their investigation into this high-profile case(ET NOW)
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