In a developing story surrounding the highly anticipated Coldplay concert in Mumbai, the city’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has issued a second summons to Ashish Hemrajani, CEO of Big Tree Entertainment, the parent company of BookMyShow. The summons pertains to ongoing investigations into alleged black marketing of concert tickets after Hemrajani and the company’s technical head failed to appear for questioning following an initial notice issued on September 27.
Investigation into Alleged Ticket Scalping
According to reports from the Mumbai Police, the EOW’s summons was prompted by a complaint filed by Advocate Amit Vyas, who accused BookMyShow of enabling a black market for Coldplay concert tickets. The concert is scheduled to take place from January 19 to 21, 2025, at the DY Patil Stadium. Vyas alleges that tickets originally priced at ₹2,500 have been resold by third parties and influencers for prices soaring up to ₹3 lakh.
Vyas’s complaint outlines serious accusations, claiming that the ticketing platform manipulated access for legitimate users by logging them out or blocking them altogether. This allegedly allowed ticket bots and black-market operators to dominate the sales, ultimately harming genuine fans. The EOW has recorded Vyas’s statement and is investigating several brokers suspected of involvement in the ticket scalping scheme.
Allegations of Fraud and Legal Action
The gravity of the situation has led Vyas to seek the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against BookMyShow for fraud. He is invoking various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which includes allegations of organized crime, cheating, and criminal conspiracy. Additionally, Vyas intends to file a public interest litigation (PIL) with the Bombay High Court aimed at establishing regulatory guidelines for major events to curb similar fraudulent activities in the future.
As the controversy unfolds, Shiv Sena (UBT faction) spokesperson Anand Dubey has also voiced concerns, urging Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to investigate the “nexus” involved in the ticket black marketing. Dubey emphasized that despite the official announcement of a sellout, tickets were reportedly available through unofficial channels at exorbitant prices.
Public Reaction and Ticketing Concerns
The situation has generated significant backlash among Coldplay fans and the general public, with many expressing disappointment over the perceived inequity in ticket availability. Social media users have criticized the situation, coining phrases like “From Coldplay to Soldplay” to reflect their frustration over the alleged ticketing scandal.
The controversy raises important questions about the integrity of ticket sales for high-demand events and the responsibility of ticketing platforms in safeguarding consumers against fraudulent practices.
Key Updates Summary
- Second Summons Issued: Mumbai Police’s EOW has summoned BookMyShow CEO Ashish Hemrajani for a second time over ticket black marketing allegations.
- Allegations of Scalping: Tickets originally priced at ₹2,500 are reportedly being resold for up to ₹3 lakh by third parties.
- Legal Actions Planned: Advocate Amit Vyas seeks an FIR against BookMyShow and plans to file a PIL for regulatory guidelines.
- Public Backlash: Fans express frustration as tickets are still available through unofficial channels despite being labeled “sold out” by BookMyShow.
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