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Case Filed Against BookMyShow Alleging Ticketing Scam Linked to Coldplay Concert
Updated on: 27 September, 2024 12:23 PM IST |Amruta Karulkar
Coldplay band
The upcoming Coldplay concert in January 2025 has hit an unexpected snag, as a legal complaint has been filed against popular online ticketing platform BookMyShow. Amit Vyas, Founder Partner of Vertices Partners, has accused the platform, along with Live Nation Entertainment, of being involved in a large-scale ticketing scam. This scandal pertains to ticket sales for Coldplay`s "Music of the Spheres World Tour," scheduled to take place on January 18, 19, and 21, 2025, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
In a formal criminal complaint filed with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in Mumbai, Vyas contended that this was not an isolated case of technical failure but a premeditated scam. He lodged this complaint on behalf of the many frustrated Coldplay fans across India who struggled to buy tickets through legitimate means.
Also Read: Coldplay Concert in India: 7 Songs of the Band You Must Listen to
Adding to the controversy, the complaint also highlights how tickets that were initially marked as sold out on BookMyShow were later seen on third-party resale sites, such as Viagogo, at inflated prices. In some cases, the prices soared 30 to 50 times higher than their original value. This raised suspicion that key decision-makers at both BookMyShow and Live Nation were involved in orchestrating the scam.
Vyas has requested that a First Information Report (FIR) be registered under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which include organised crime, cheating, criminal conspiracy, and criminal breach of trust.
Amit Vyas is also planning to file a public interest litigation (PIL) before the Bombay High Court. Through this action, he aims to establish stricter regulatory guidelines for major events, ensuring that future ticket sales are handled transparently and fairly. This case has not only exposed the potential for ticketing scams in India but also highlighted the need for better consumer protection when it comes to large-scale events.
Allegations of Unethical Ticketing Practices
The crux of Vyas` complaint revolves around unethical practices employed by BookMyShow and Live Nation, which he claims prevented genuine fans from purchasing tickets. Vyas alleges that these platforms manipulated access, logging legitimate users out or blocking them from completing their purchases. He claims this tactic enabled ticket bots and black-market operators to dominate the sales. As a result, genuine Coldplay fans were left helpless in their attempts to secure tickets for the highly anticipated event.In a formal criminal complaint filed with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in Mumbai, Vyas contended that this was not an isolated case of technical failure but a premeditated scam. He lodged this complaint on behalf of the many frustrated Coldplay fans across India who struggled to buy tickets through legitimate means.
Also Read: Coldplay Concert in India: 7 Songs of the Band You Must Listen to
Adding to the controversy, the complaint also highlights how tickets that were initially marked as sold out on BookMyShow were later seen on third-party resale sites, such as Viagogo, at inflated prices. In some cases, the prices soared 30 to 50 times higher than their original value. This raised suspicion that key decision-makers at both BookMyShow and Live Nation were involved in orchestrating the scam.
Vyas has requested that a First Information Report (FIR) be registered under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which include organised crime, cheating, criminal conspiracy, and criminal breach of trust.
Amit Vyas is also planning to file a public interest litigation (PIL) before the Bombay High Court. Through this action, he aims to establish stricter regulatory guidelines for major events, ensuring that future ticket sales are handled transparently and fairly. This case has not only exposed the potential for ticketing scams in India but also highlighted the need for better consumer protection when it comes to large-scale events.
BookMyShow’s Response
Meanwhile, BookMyShow has denied any involvement in the alleged ticketing scam. The online ticket aggregator released a statement clarifying that it has no association with resale platforms like Viagogo or Gigsberg. In fact, BookMyShow has lodged its own police complaint, claiming that fake tickets for Coldplay`s concert were being sold on certain platforms without their authorisation.ADVERTISEMENT
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