[Concert Ticket Resale] “Create a Regulatory Framework, Preventing Unlawful Sales & Ensuring Authorized Platforms”: Plea In Delhi HC

A plea before the Delhi High Court Today (Oct 15) sought directions to the Centre to formulate and implement a regulatory framework to regulate the resale of concert tickets through authorised platforms and avoid unlawful selling activities. The petition further sought a direction to the Union ministries of Information and Broadcasting and Electronics, and Information Technology to block unlawful online platforms involved in the purported illegal and unauthorised sale of tickets in India. The court subsequently directed the petition to be listed before the chief justice’s court on October 23.

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NEW DELHI: A petition submitted to the Delhi High Court on Tuesday, seeking directives from the Centre to establish a regulatory framework to oversee the resale of concert tickets through authorized platforms and to curtail illegal selling practices. This plea emphasizes the need to protect consumers from exploitation, especially regarding sought-after events.

Justice Sanjeev Narula was informed by the counsel representing the petitioner that a similar public interest litigation (PIL) was already pending before a bench led by the Delhi High Court Chief Justice. Subsequently, they requested the case be listed before that bench.

The petition also demanded a directive to the Union Ministries of Information and Broadcasting and Electronics, and Information Technology to block unauthorized online platforms involved in the illegal resale of event tickets in India.

The court then directed that the petition be listed before the Chief Justice’s court on October 23 for further hearing.

The petitioners, including Samridhi and four others, represented by senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao and advocate Malak Bhatt, specifically referenced an upcoming music concert by the globally renowned British rock band, Coldplay.

According to the plea, online ticketing platforms like BookMyShow (BMS) should offer a secure and convenient digital ticketing system to the public, while also ensuring measures to prevent black-marketing and unauthorized sales of tickets.

The plea highlighted,

“Yet, the announcement of sought-after events such as cricket matches, live entertainment shows or musical concerts by several renowned artists such as Diljit Dosanjh, Coldplay, etc., are followed by a rampant increase of black-marketing activities whereby tickets for admission to such events are sold at an exorbitant premium through unauthorised and unlawful means by exploiting the general public at large.”

Coldplay, which partnered with BookMyShow for the sale of its concert tickets, had informed the public to avoid unauthorized sales. However, the petition stated that other unauthorized platforms had also begun selling tickets illegally.

It further pointed out that Bigtree Entertainment Pvt Ltd, the parent company of BookMyShow, should implement additional safeguards to prevent widespread unauthorized ticket sales. The plea added that the company should take measures to stop “bots” from purchasing large quantities of tickets, which are later resold through unauthorized means.

The petition also called for the Centre to take strict action against unauthorized ticket re-sellers and block their operations in India, arguing that these activities were not only unlawful but also exploitative to genuine fans.

The issue of ticket scalping has previously been brought before the Chief Justice’s court. In earlier hearings, the court sought responses from both the Centre and the Delhi government on another PIL that accused ticket scalpers of engaging in “illegal, manipulative, and exploitive” practices, where tickets for events were resold at highly inflated prices.

The current plea argued that ticket scalping not only distorts the fairness of the ticket-buying process but also degrades the overall fan experience. It stated that this malpractice creates an environment where only those willing to pay exorbitant amounts can attend events, leaving genuine fans priced out.

Moreover, the petition sought the constitution of a committee to investigate the issue. It alleged that similar black-marketing had taken place during the bookings for the “Dil-Luminati Tour” by popular artist Diljit Dosanjh, scheduled for October 26 at the Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium in Delhi.

The matter, which resonates deeply with the increasing problem of ticket scalping, brings forth a crucial call for regulatory mechanisms to ensure fairness, transparency, and legality in the event ticketing process in India.

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