The Central Crime Branch (CCB) of Bengaluru Police has made a fresh arrest in connection with an IPL ticket black marketing racket at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, exposing loopholes in the system despite the rollout of digital ticketing measures. The case highlights how organised networks continue to exploit alternative channels to illegally resell match tickets at inflated prices.

According to police officials, the accused, identified as Chandrashekar P, 49, was employed as catering staff with Sri Lakshmi Caterers inside the stadium. He was arrested for allegedly selling tickets during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru versus Lucknow Super Giants match held on April 15. Authorities said he was found in possession of over 100 tickets, which were reportedly diverted for resale outside the venue.

Investigations suggest that the tickets were sourced through corporate bookings, which are typically allotted in bulk to companies for clients and employees. The accused is believed to have misused this channel to obtain tickets and sell them in the black market at significantly higher prices, taking advantage of high demand during IPL matches.

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Officials noted that while the introduction of mobile ticketing (M-ticketing) has reduced over-the-counter resale and individual-level black marketing, it has not fully eliminated illegal practices. Instead, the focus has shifted towards exploiting corporate quotas and internal access points within the stadium ecosystem.

The police indicated that the case is part of a broader crackdown on interconnected ticket resale networks operating during IPL matches in the city. Authorities are now probing whether more individuals, including insiders and intermediaries, are involved in diverting tickets through similar methods.

The incident has raised concerns about the effectiveness of current safeguards and the need for tighter regulation of corporate allocations and internal distribution channels. Police officials said further action is likely as investigations continue to uncover the extent of the racket and its links within the stadium’s operational framework.

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