Delhi High Court Tackles Ticket Scalping Battlefield

The Delhi High Court has taken up a PIL challenging the practice of ticket scalping, where event tickets are resold at inflated prices. The plea calls for legal regulation and seeks guidelines to curb black marketing. A crucial hearing is set for early 2025, potentially affecting future events.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday responded to a public interest litigation (PIL) addressing the contentious issue of ticket scalping. This illicit practice, involving the resale of event tickets at exorbitant prices, was highlighted in a plea submitted by Rohan Gupta, prompted by a series of recent concerts.

The division bench, led by Chief Justice Manmohan, considered the plea, which appeals for the creation of regulations to counteract the black marketing of tickets. The petition also seeks to legally regulate scalping practices and proposes the formation of an investigative committee, focusing specifically on the resale activities surrounding Diljit Dosanjh's 'Dil-Luminati Tour' slated for October 26 at JLN Stadium.

In response, the court issued notices to the Central Government, Delhi Government, and multiple ticket selling platforms, scheduling further proceedings for February 18, 2025. However, Advocate Santosh Kumar Tripathi, representing the Delhi Government, contended that existing provisions under BNS 112 already address these concerns, questioning the necessity for additional guidelines.

(With inputs from agencies.)