Coldplay Concert Ticket Controversy: Shiv Sena Demands Probe into Black Marketing in Mumbai

In Mumbai, there is a big issue about the re-selling of tickets for the upcoming ‘Music of the Spheres’ tour by the English rock band Coldplay. Shiv Sena spokesperson Anand Dubey has written a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, asking for an investigation into the black-marketing of these tickets.

Dubey mentioned that the tickets were sold out within minutes on the official ticketing site, BookMyShow. However, tickets are still being sold at very high prices through unofficial channels. This has left many fans, especially young people, disappointed.

Dubey suspects that there might be a group involved in this illegal activity, taking advantage of fans who are willing to spend a lot of money to see the concert. He believes this could involve illegal activities like money laundering and fraud.

He also sent copies of his letter to the Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Police Commissioners of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, asking for a thorough investigation.

In a video, Dubey explained that the BookMyShow website crashed within seconds of the tickets going on sale, and the company claimed all tickets were sold out. However, tickets are still available on other websites at prices 5 to 10 times higher, raising suspicions about BookMyShow’s involvement in black marketing.

On Friday, the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing summoned Ashish Hemrajani, CEO of BookMyShow’s parent company, Big Tree Entertainment, and the company’s technical head for questioning. This follows a complaint by Advocate Amit Vyas, who accused BookMyShow of enabling the black marketing of tickets. Vyas claims that tickets originally priced at Rs 2,500 are being resold for up to Rs 3 lakh.

Coldplay announced their ‘Music of the Spheres’ World Tour on September 18, initially planning two shows at DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai. Due to high demand, they added a third show on January 21, 2025.