Synopsis: Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has summoned BookMyShow CEO Ashish Hemrajani and a senior technical team member following a complaint by advocate Amit Vyas. The complaint raises concerns about unauthorized ticket sales for Coldplay's highly anticipated concerts in Mumbai, scheduled for January 2025.
The Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has summoned Ashish Hemrajani, CEO of BookMyShow, and a senior technical team member in connection with the alleged unauthorized resale of tickets for Coldplay's upcoming concerts in Mumbai.
The summons follows a formal complaint lodged by advocate Amit Vyas, who raised concerns over the illegal sale of concert tickets for the British rock band's much-anticipated performances in January 2025.
Coldplay, set to perform on January 18, 19, and 21 as part of their 'Music of the Spheres' World Tour, will return to India after an eight-year gap.
With overwhelming demand for tickets, BookMyShow started ticket sales on September 22, 2024.
However, the process was plagued by technical glitches, leading to all available tickets being sold out within seconds.
Originally priced between Rs. 2,500 and Rs. 35,000, tickets were later found on resale platforms for exorbitant amounts, with prices ranging from Rs. 35,000 to a staggering Rs. 3 lakh.
Advocate Amit Vyas, the complainant, flagged these concerns, prompting the police investigation.
As a result, the EOW has instructed Hemrajani and the company’s technical head to appear for questioning on Saturday.
In response to the ongoing controversy, BookMyShow released a public statement clarifying that it does not engage with third-party platforms like Viagogo and Gigsberg for ticket sales.
The company also cautioned the public to avoid purchasing tickets from unauthorized sources, as these could be counterfeit.
BookMyShow further assured authorities and customers that they are fully cooperating with the investigation.
Ticket resale, particularly bulk buying and reselling, is illegal under Indian law. BookMyShow has also filed its own complaint against those engaging in these practices, reinforcing its stance against ticket scalping.
In conclusion, the summoning of BookMyShow’s CEO highlights the growing concern over ticket scalping and the illegal resale of tickets for high-demand events like Coldplay’s concerts.
While the investigation progresses, BookMyShow has distanced itself from third-party sellers and reaffirmed its commitment to preventing ticket fraud.
The incident underscores the need for stricter monitoring and enforcement of ticket sale regulations in India to protect consumers from inflated resale prices and counterfeit tickets.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and the ongoing police investigation. The details may evolve as further information comes to light. Readers are advised to stay informed and follow official updates.
