The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought responses from the Central government and ticketing platforms Zomato, Stubhub, Viagog, and Ticombo regarding a public interest litigation (PIL) petition calling for action against the illegal practice of ‘ticket scalping’ for music concerts and similar events.
Ticket scalping involves the use of bots to purchase large quantities of tickets, which are then resold at inflated prices, exploiting the general public.
The plea, filed by Rohan Gupta, highlighted that this practice was widespread during concerts by singers Karan Aujla and Diljit Dosanjh this year. The petition called for the formation of a committee to address ticket scalping, formulate guidelines to prevent black-market ticket sales, and bring the practice under the scope of law.
The petitioner argued that the practice is illegal, manipulative, and exploitative.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued notices to the Union of India and other respondents and scheduled the next hearing for February 18, 2025.
During the hearing, the State’s counsel contended that Gupta’s plea falls under Section 112 (petty organized offence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. However, the Chief Justice noted that the plea mentioned the involvement of computers and bots in ticket hoarding, hinting at potential collusion between parties.
The petitioner further argued that ticket scalping by predatory resellers restricts access to genuine fans, allowing unscrupulous actors to exploit high demand.
“This practice undermines the principles of a fair market and often involves unethical tactics like the use of bots to hoard tickets before legitimate buyers get a chance,” the plea stated.
It was also contended that such events are meant to unite communities, foster cultural appreciation, and provide joy across social strata, but scalping turns them into exclusive experiences for those who can afford inflated prices, deepening the socioeconomic divide and eroding fairness in entertainment access.
The plea called for the creation of a robust legal framework, effective enforcement, and technological measures to counter the negative effects of ticket scalping. It also urged the need for fair ticketing practices to ensure an equitable and transparent system that protects consumers.
Advocates Gaurav Dua, Jatin Yadav, Daksh Gupta, and Saurabh Dua represented the petitioner.
