Mumbai: In a recent development, the Delhi High Court has taken a proactive stance on the issue of ticket scalping and its growing concern in events like music concerts and other big events which happen often in India. Along with the rise of online platforms, ticket scalping continued to be of some concern, especially with the increased recapitalization and bot purchase of tickets in a matter of seconds.
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) Filed
The Central Government and other well-known ticketing websites including Zomato, StubHub, Viagogo, and Ticombo have also been asked to respond by the constituent assembly court concerning the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) moved by Rohan Gupta. Such websites that are also used to sell tickets for well-known events and are being targeted for promoting ticket scalping through sheer lack of monitoring and regulations are quite many.
The PIL in this case also emphasizes Karan Aujla and Diljit Dosanjh’s concerts where ticket scalping practices were specifically targeted. Itav said that due to the rise of the scalping issue, tickets are being resold excessively thereby restricting the die-hard fans from buying them.
Ticket Scalping: A Problem on the Rise
Ticket scalping refers to the practice of purchasing large amounts of tickets—sometimes with the support of bots—once they are released for sale and then selling them for a profit. This malpractice has increased thanks to the growth of online ticket sales up to the extent that leaves many bona fide supporters worried. The use of bots enables scalpers to cut queues and order a bulk of tickets even those who do not require them.
Consequently, the tickets that were originally meant for a mass of people, have become the monopolistic possession of a few individuals or syndicates who then sell them for exorbitantly higher prices than normal.
Legal and Social Implications
The PIL states that it is not only a criminal and harmful business activity but also violates the rights of the consumer and hinders fair competition in the market. It is said that these activities tend to target poor people especially affected groups such as low-income earners through restriction of access to services such as concerts along with other recreational activities.
Additionally, the petition expressed worries that ticket scalpers’ activities are likely to aggravate the social divide. It is argued that if such activities are only within reach of the few who can pay unnecessary amounts. Then the practice is no longer available to everyone, as far as cultural recreation is concerned. Events that are supposed to be used to bring people together, will give the audience. The opportunity to experience the same becomes cut off to some people.
Court Orders and Next Steps
Wholly aware of these concerns, the Delhi High Court has mandated both. The center and the ticketing platforms in question to file their responses to the PIL. The court set the date as February 18, 2025. As the next hearing date so that the defendants can furnish the court with their evidence. And what measures if any, have been taken to combat ticket scalping.
As of now, however, the court suggested that. A special committee should be formed which will carry out an extensive examination of the problem of ticket scalping. In such a committee, the members will also be assigned. The duty of coming up with operational strategies aimed at the elimination of illegal ticket resale practices. As well as the availability of tickets at reasonable prices to the public.
Social Impact of Ticket Scalping
In the petition, also called ‘clause 53’, it was made clear that the negative effect of ticket scalping. The basic intention behind concerts or events is to encourage people to appreciate and entertain them. Many people cannot pay ticket prices that modify the function of these events within a society. And create disparities between different classes of people.
In such a way that scalpers buy tickets in bulk and sit … When these tickets are only offered to rich people, they will purchase only a few of the tickets. This restricts the universality of such events and forms a category. Where other cultures die since the low countries people cannot participate in cultural fun.
As the epidemic incited all of San Francisco’s central leadership to bring democracy back to the people. The decision of the court regarding the investigation of this practice is the way toward. A fair provision of basic entertainment for all. This decision on a full understanding of the case is. The most likely to result in tighter control of the market as far as ticket selling is concerned.
