A public interest litigation has been filed in the Delhi High Court on Wednesday challenging the illegal and exploitative practice of “ticket scalping,” which involves reselling event tickets at inflated prices, disadvantaging the general public.
This PIL pertains specifically to the upcoming concert of singer Diljit Dosanjh and is scheduled for a hearing before the Chief Justice on Wednesday.
The petition, filed by Rohan Gupta and represented by advocates Jatin Yadav, Daksh Gupta, Gaurav Dua, and Saurabh Dua, outlines a timeline of recent concert announcements. Karan Aujla announced his India tour dates in July 2024, followed by Diljit Dosanjh’s announcement in August-September.
Pre-sale tickets for Dosanjh’s concert became available on September 10 for HDFC Bank Pixel cardholders, with general sales starting on September 12. However, on September 16, Zomato Limited issued an advisory declaring that tickets purchased through platforms like STUBHUB INDIA, VIAGOGO, and TICOMBO were invalid.
The petition highlights the detrimental impact of predatory ticket scalpers, asserting that such unethical practices limit access for genuine fans and enable scalpers to exploit high demand. It argues that scalping undermines fair market principles and often involves the use of bots and other unethical tactics to hoard tickets before legitimate buyers can purchase them.
The document emphasizes that ticket scalping distorts the fairness of the ticket-buying process and degrades the fan experience, creating an environment where only those willing to pay exorbitant prices can attend events.
Concerts, intended to foster community and cultural appreciation, become exclusive experiences for a privileged few, further widening the socioeconomic gap and eroding fairness in access to entertainment.
The plea also raises concerns about the rise of a black market for tickets, where counterfeit tickets proliferate, further exploiting consumers.
Additionally, it argues that ticket scalping negatively affects government revenue, as these transactions often occur through unregulated channels, leading to significant losses in tax revenue. The current system allows foreign entities to evade taxation, depriving the Indian government of funds that could otherwise support public services and community development.
The petitioner advocates for the establishment of a robust legal framework, enforcement mechanisms, and technological measures to combat the negative effects of ticket scalping. The goal is to promote fair ticketing practices that ensure equitable access for consumers and integrate revenue generated from legitimate sales into the legal economy.
