ED conducts inter-state search operations in relation to illegal sale of Coldplay, Diljit Dosanjh concert tickets

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted search operations in Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru in relation to the illegal sale of tickets of Coldplay and Diljit Dosanjh’s 'Dilluminati' concerts.

During the search operations, several incriminating materials such as mobile phones, laptops, and SIM cards used in the alleged scam were recovered and seized, the agency said.

This comes after the Delhi High Court on Thursday sought the response of the Centre on a plea seeking a regulatory framework to regulate the resale of concert tickets through authorised platforms and avoid illegal selling activities.

The plea said online ticketing platforms such as BookmyShow (BMS) ought to provide a convenient digital ticketing solution to the public and help keep a check on black-marketing and unauthorised sale of tickets.

"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," the plea said.

The plea contended that the malpractice of ticket scalping distorted the fairness of the ticket-buying process and undermined the fan experience by creating an environment where only those willing to pay exorbitant amounts could attend events.

It sought a direction for the constitution of a committee to look into the issue alleging the same happened during the bookings of "Dil-Luminati Tour" of Dosanjh scheduled to take place on October 26 at the JLN Stadium in the national capital.

(With PTI inputs)