BookMyShow CEO summoned today over black market sale of Coldplay tickets

Mumbai Police summoned Ashish Hemrajani, CEO of Big Tree Entertainment Private Limited, which operates BookMyShow, along with the company's technical head to appear before it on Saturday.

In Short

• Coldplay to perform in Mumbai in January 2025
• Reseller tickets priced exorbitantly on platforms like Viagogo
• Mumbai Police summoned BookMyShow CEO, technical head

Mumbai Police on Friday summoned the CEO and a senior team member of the ticket booking platform BookMyShow in connection with the alleged black market sale of tickets for the upcoming Coldplay concert in Mumbai, officials said.

The Economic Offences Wing of the Mumbai Police summoned Ashish Hemrajani, CEO of Big Tree Entertainment Private Limited, which operates BookMyShow, along with the company’s technical head. They have been directed to appear before the officers on Saturday.

The police action followed a complaint by advocate Amit Vyas, who alleged the black market sale of tickets for the British rock band's concert.

Coldplay, the international band which is coming to India after eight years, is scheduled to perform in Mumbai on January 18, 19, and 21, 2025, as part of its 'Music of the Spheres' World Tour. The sale of tickets through BookMyShow started at 12 pm on September 22, but within seconds, it was marred by technical glitches, and all tickets for the three shows were sold out.

The tickets were originally priced between Rs 2,500 and Rs 35,000. However, reseller tickets were offered for Rs 35,000 to Rs 3 lakh, and even higher, on platforms like Viagogo.

In a statement issued earlier this week, BookMyShow said that it is not associated with any ticket-selling or reselling platforms such as Viagogo and Gigsberg, or with third-party individuals for the purpose of reselling. The online ticket aggregator further appealed to the public not to fall victim to these scams. Any tickets purchased from unauthorised sources will be at the consumer's risk and may turn out to be fake, the platform stated.

Bulk buying and reselling of tickets is punishable by law in India. The company also said it has filed a complaint with the police authorities and will provide complete support to them in the investigation.