Raids in 5 states over ‘illegal’ sale of Diljit, Coldplay concert tickets

The ED conducted search operations in Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Chandigarh (Punjab) and Bengaluru in connection with the illegal sale of tickets of Coldplay and Diljit Dosanjh’s Dil-Luminati concerts.

During the searches carried out in five states on October 25, incriminating material such as mobile phones, laptops and SIM cards used in the “scam” were seized. The searches were carried out after multiple FIRs were registered in various states regarding the fraudulent sale of tickets.

Were Being sold at Rs 1 lakh

• The tickets for the concerts were being reportedly sold in the grey market for as high as Rs 1 lakh each.
• The ED has identified several culprits involved in alleged wrongdoings through social media platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp and Telegram
• BookMyShow filed an FIR against several suspects, alleging they engaged in selling counterfeit tickets and inflating prices, taking advantage of the high demand

The concerts, part of Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres World Tour” and Diljit Dosanjh’s “Dil-Luminati”, generated immense excitement among music enthusiasts, leading to a rapid sellout of the tickets on official platforms like BookMyShow and Zomato Live.

However, this demand led to tickets being sold on the black market at exorbitant prices with numerous reports emerging of individuals being deceived or cheated through the fraudulent sale of tickets.

BookMyShow filed an FIR against several suspects, alleging they engaged in selling counterfeit tickets and inflating prices, taking advantage of the high demand.

In a related development, the Delhi High Court on Thursday sought the response of the Centre on a plea seeking a regulatory framework to regulate the re-sale of these concert tickets through authorised platforms. A bench of Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued notice to the ministries of Information and Broadcasting and Electronics, and Information Technology, private entities Stubhub Inc, Viagogo Entertainment Inc and Bigtree Entertainment Pvt Ltd.

The court said the replies would have to be filed within four weeks and posted the hearing for February 18, 2025.

The High Court is hearing pleas on alleged irregularities in ticket sales for both these concerts. — With PTI inputs