In a bid to tackle the growing issue of ticket scalping and black marketing at major concerts and events, the Maharashtra cyber police have taken a proactive step by instructing BookMyShow (BMS) to implement name-based ticketing. This directive is aimed at preventing the resale of tickets for exorbitant amounts on the black market by ensuring that tickets are tied to the identity of the original ticket holder and verified against government-issued identity cards at the event.
Background on the Directive
The directive from the Maharashtra cyber police stems from incidents involving the sale of tickets for popular concerts such as English band Coldplay and Indian singer Diljit Dosanjh’s Dil-Luminati tour at inflated prices on the black market.
“[Starting] from 15th December 2024, for concerts and events that are likely to sell out or where demand far exceeds supply, it will be mandatory to implement name-based ticketing. The attendee’s name should be either printed on the ticket or band or incorporated into the QR code of the RFID band. Additionally, tickets must be verified against a government-issued IF card on the day of the event to prevent misuse,” Abhijit Sonawane, a police inspector in the nodal cyber police station, said. [Source: Hindustan Times]
Ensuring Compliance and Security Measures
The Maharashtra cyber police have outlined a series of checks and balances that event organizers, including BookMyShow, must adhere to for upcoming concerts. These measures include implementing AI-based firewalls to filter out bot traffic, monitoring social media for posts and ads of ticket resales at inflated prices, and identifying repetitive patterns in ticket purchases that may indicate scalping activities.
Furthermore, BMS will have to deploy undercover personnel on the day of the event to identify scalpers, conduct random ID verifications of attendees, and employ dynamic QR codes that refresh periodically to prevent ticket duplication.
Legal Implications and Investigations
The Maharashtra cyber police have issued this directive under section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, granting them the authority to intervene to prevent the commission of any cognizable offense related to ticket scalping. The Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing has initiated investigations into instances of ticket fraud and black market sales, particularly in the case of tickets for the Coldplay concert.
It has been alleged that BMS had purchased tickets from the band for resale at prices ranging from Rs2,500 to Rs35,000, sparking concerns about fraudulent activities.
Response and Criticism
Although it is a strong positive step from Maharashtra cyber police in curbing ticket scalping, some legal experts have raised concerns about the scope of police powers in issuing such directives. Bagmisikha Puhan, a technology and telecommunications lawyer, has questioned the legal consistency of the directive and its potential implications for lawmaking.
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