In a major crackdown on the illegal sale of concert tickets, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search operations across India, targeting individuals accused of exploiting the high demand for Diljit Dosanjh and Coldplay concerts. The raids, carried out in Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Chandigarh, and Bangalore, come just hours before Diljit Dosanjh’s concert is scheduled to begin at 7 pm at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi.
The investigation, launched under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), focuses on allegations of black market operations surrounding the highly anticipated ‘Dil-luminati’ tour and Coldplay’s ‘Music of the Spheres World Tour’. The concerts, announced in September, witnessed a frenzy among fans, with tickets selling out within minutes. This intense demand led to rampant black-marketing, where tickets originally priced around ₹3000-4000 on official platforms like Book My Show and Zomato skyrocketed to over a lakh.
The ED’s action follows multiple FIRs filed in various states, including one by Bookmyshow against individuals suspected of exploiting concertgoers. The FIR alleges that these individuals engaged in selling counterfeit tickets and drastically inflating prices, capitalizing on the overwhelming demand for these coveted concerts. The ED statement highlights the agency’s commitment to combating financial crimes and ensuring fairness in the ticketing industry.
The raids serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of black market operations and the importance of purchasing tickets from legitimate sources. With the concert season in full swing, authorities are likely to increase their scrutiny of ticket sales to protect consumers and deter illegal activities.