A canteen worker at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has been arrested for allegedly operating an IPL ticket black-marketing racket linked to Royal Challengers Bengaluru matches, according to an NDTV report, with investigators tracing the resale of 181 tickets worth INR 17,52,600 (approx. US$ 18.9K). The case has expanded beyond an individual transaction chain, pointing to a coordinated network involving insiders and external entities.
Bulk allocations redirected through company accounts
Investigators found that match tickets were secured in bulk through the online platform Ticketgenie using the identities of multiple companies. These included Swastik Heavy Engineering, Industrial Automation Consultant Company, and Dharani Computers, which were used to obtain ticket blocks across fixtures.
For the April 15 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants, tickets acquired through these channels were later rerouted for resale. A similar pattern emerged for a March 28 fixture, where 81 tickets valued at INR 6,60,000 (approx. US$ 7.1K) were diverted into unofficial resale circulation.
Insider link brings KSCA member under scrutiny
During questioning, the arrested individual, identified as Chandrashekhar, indicated that the supply originated from Karnataka State Cricket Association member Ganesh Pareekshit, who allegedly directed the resale activity. Authorities have launched a search operation to locate Pareekshit, who remains absconding.
The probe has also extended to examine the involvement of private firms connected to the original ticket acquisition process. Cases have been registered against company executives suspected of enabling the movement of tickets from authorised distribution into resale channels.
Inflated pricing model and direct buyer outreach
Tickets were reportedly offered at sharply increased rates compared to their base value, with individual seats sold between INR 15,000 and INR 19,000 (approx. US$ 162–205). Prospective buyers were approached directly via phone calls, allowing transactions to take place outside official booking systems.
Authorities have clarified that while secondary resale is not prohibited, charging inflated prices through unofficial means constitutes a violation.
Police intensify crackdown on ticket resale networks
As the investigation progresses, law enforcement officials are working to map the full scope of the network, including intermediaries and entities involved in sourcing and distributing tickets.
Seemant Kumar Singh said in a police statement, “Our crime teams and CCB have been trying to curtail black marketing of tickets since the beginning of IPL. Even yesterday, our team uncovered a nexus. They were buying tickets and then selling it to common public at a much higher price. After ticket sales started online, we have curbed it (black marketing) to a large extent.”
Officials expect further action as the probe develops, with additional scrutiny likely on those linked to the procurement and resale chain.
