As excitement builds for the upcoming “Music of the Spheres” tour by the globally renowned rock band Coldplay in Mumbai, a significant controversy has erupted surrounding the alleged black-marketing of concert tickets. Shiv Sena (UBT faction) spokesperson Anand Dubey has formally reached out to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, demanding a thorough investigation into what he describes as a “nexus engaged in the black-marketing of tickets.”
In his letter, Dubey highlighted a concerning trend: “The tickets were reportedly sold out within minutes of being made available online, which left many genuine fans, particularly the youth, disappointed.” Despite the official ticketing partner, BookMyShow, declaring the concert sold out, Dubey noted that tickets were still being offered through “unofficial channels” at significantly inflated prices, leaving fans frustrated and bewildered.
Dubey’s letter elaborated on the allegations, stating, “It appears that there may be a nexus engaged in the black-marketing of tickets, exploiting the enthusiasm of young fans who are willing to spend large amounts of their parents’ hard-earned money to attend this concert.” He further asserted that such practices not only breach fairness principles but may also involve illegal activities like money laundering, cheating, and fraud.
The letter was sent not only to Chief Minister Shinde but also to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Mumbai and Navi Mumbai Police Commissioners, underscoring the urgency of the request for an investigation.
In a self-made video addressing the issue, Dubey recounted the frustrating experience of many fans during the ticket sale. He claimed that the BookMyShow website crashed within seconds, leading to the sudden declaration that all tickets were sold out. He pointed out, “Despite the tickets being sold out, in reality, the tickets were being sold at prices 5 to 10 times higher than the original through other websites,” fueling suspicions of BookMyShow’s involvement in black-marketing.
In a related development, the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has summoned Ashish Hemrajani, CEO of Big Tree Entertainment (the parent company of BookMyShow), along with the company’s technical head. They are expected to provide statements as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged illicit ticket sales ahead of the much-anticipated concert, scheduled for January 18, 19, and 21, 2025, at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
Legal actions are also unfolding as Advocate Amit Vyas has filed a complaint alleging that BookMyShow facilitated the black-marketing of tickets for the concert. He claims that tickets originally priced at ₹2,500 have been resold by third-party websites and influencers for as much as ₹3 lakh. Vyas is seeking the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the ticketing platform on fraud charges, accusing it of deceiving the public and Coldplay fans alike.
This controversy has sparked a widespread public outcry, with fans demanding transparency and fairness in the ticketing process. As the situation continues to develop, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and concerned fans are closely watching the response from authorities to ensure that the excitement surrounding Coldplay’s concert is not marred by unethical practices.
