The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued a notice to the Central government and three private entities in response to a plea seeking the creation of norms to regulate the resale of concert tickets and block illegal ticket-selling websites. The petition comes in light of recent concerts by artists like Coldplay and Diljit Dosanjh, which saw inflated resale prices.
A division bench led by Chief Justice Manmohan sought responses from the Union ministries of Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology, tagging the matter with an ongoing Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against ticket scalping. The case is scheduled for a hearing on February 18, 2025.
Allegations Against Ticket Resellers
The plea highlights that resellers have violated the Consumer Protection Rules, 2020, by failing to verify tickets or secure undertakings from sellers, allowing the sale of invalid tickets. Resellers also lack an effective grievance redressal mechanism, leaving buyers vulnerable if tickets are not delivered or are fraudulent. The petition notes that resellers benefit by charging a €25 administrative fee from sellers, even if the issue remains unresolved, with no compensation for buyers.
The petition references Section 112 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which aims to curb black-marketing and unauthorized ticket sales. This provision introduces stringent penalties, including imprisonment up to seven years, to deter the practice of reselling tickets without the authorization of official platforms or organizers.
Court’s Concerns Over Black Market and Lost Revenue
The petition argues that ticket scalping contributes to a black market for counterfeit tickets, defrauding consumers and depriving the government of tax revenue. The petitioner calls for a comprehensive legal framework, enforcement mechanisms, and technological solutions to ensure fair ticketing practices, consumer protection, and the formal integration of ticket sales revenue into the economy.
On October 9, the Delhi High Court sought responses from authorities regarding the harmful effects of ticket scalping, a practice that involves reselling event tickets at inflated prices for profit.