IPL Ticket Black Market Thrives in Chennai, PIL Seeks Crackdown
A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Madras High Court, alleging the rampant sale of Indian Premier League (IPL) tickets in the black market in Chennai. The petition, filed by advocate A. Sathiya Prakash, seeks stringent action against those involved in this illegal activity.
The petitioner claims that the black market prevents genuine cricket fans from purchasing tickets at fair prices. He states that while the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) sells tickets online, they are quickly snapped up by scalpers who resell them at exorbitant rates.
According to the PIL, tickets for the lower stand, which are priced at ₹1,000, are being sold for ₹14,000 to ₹16,000. The petitioner alleges that a “huge black market mafia” is operating behind the sale of IPL tickets in Chennai.
The petitioner cites recent arrests made by the city police as evidence of the black market’s prevalence. In March, five persons were arrested for selling eight tickets for the IPL match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at 10 times the actual price.
On March 27, 24 persons were arrested for selling tickets in black for the CSK versus Gujarat Titans match. The police seized 83 tickets and ₹18,000 in cash from them.
The petitioner argues that the black market deprives genuine fans of the opportunity to witness IPL matches. He urges the court to direct the Greater Chennai Commissioner of Police and TNCA to take stringent action against those involved in the illegal sale of tickets.
The PIL is scheduled for admission before the first Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay V. Gangapurwala and Justice D. Bhratha Chakravarthy on Friday.
