Mumbai: The Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has concluded its investigation into BookMyShow regarding the alleged ticketing scandal for the Coldplay concert, determining that no irregularities were found.
The inquiry was launched after a lawyer filed a complaint alleging that tickets originally priced at ₹2,500 were being resold for as much as ₹3 lakh. The complaint accused BookMyShow of fraudulent practices, including unfair ticketing procedures and artificial price inflation.
Comprehensive Investigation Yields No Evidence
Authorities also examined claims that the platform had used ticket bots to manipulate the booking process, allegedly preventing genuine fans from purchasing tickets at the original price. However, after a thorough investigation, the Mumbai Police found no concrete evidence supporting these allegations.
The controversy began on September 22, 2024, when Coldplay concert tickets went on sale through BookMyShow and were reportedly sold out within 30 minutes. Many users complained about tickets appearing on resale marketplaces at exorbitant rates, often 30 to 40 times the original price. Others reported being logged out before the sale even began, raising concerns over fair access to tickets.
Despite these concerns, the Mumbai Police concluded that BookMyShow had not engaged in any illegal activity. With no substantial evidence of price gouging, fraud, or ticket manipulation, the investigation has now been officially closed.
BookMyShow Denies Third-Party Involvement
In response to the investigation, BookMyShow issued a statement reaffirming that it does not collaborate with any third-party ticket-selling or reselling websites. The company clarified that it does not engage in the unauthorized resale of concert tickets.
Coldplay’s return to India after eight years as part of their ‘Music of the Spheres’ World Tour was met with immense enthusiasm. The band, consisting of Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion, performed in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, marking a significant musical event for their Indian fans.
With the case now closed, fans and industry stakeholders can expect continued scrutiny on ticketing practices to ensure fair access to high-demand events in the future.
