Delhi High Court Takes Action Against Illegal Ticket Resales
The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the central government and three private companies regarding a plea to regulate the resale of concert tickets and block illegal ticket-selling websites. The division bench, led by Chief Justice Manmohan, has sought responses from the Union ministries of information and broadcasting and electronics and information technology. This matter is linked to an ongoing public interest litigation against ticket scalping, scheduled for a hearing on February 18, 2025.
The plea was prompted by recent concerts featuring artists like Coldplay and Diljit Dosanjh. It claims that ticket resellers violate the Consumer Protection Rules, 2020, by not verifying tickets or requiring sellers to provide any undertaking. This allows individuals without tickets to advertise and gain unlawful benefits. Additionally, resellers lack an effective grievance redressal mechanism, charging sellers 25 euros as ‘administrative fees’ without guaranteeing compensation to buyers.
Section 112 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Sanhita, 2023, was introduced to curb black-marketing and unauthorized ticket sales, with penalties including imprisonment and fines. The plea highlights that ticket scalping leads to inflated prices, counterfeit tickets, and lost government revenue, fostering a shadow economy. The petitioner calls for a comprehensive legal framework, enforcement, and technological solutions to ensure fair ticketing practices and consumer protection.
Doubts Revealed
Delhi High Court -: The Delhi High Court is a court in India that deals with legal cases in the capital city, Delhi. It helps make sure that laws are followed and justice is served.
Illegal Concert Ticket Resales -: This means selling concert tickets in a way that is not allowed by law. People might sell tickets at a higher price than they bought them, which is unfair to others.
Coldplay -: Coldplay is a famous music band from the UK. They make popular songs and perform in concerts all over the world.
Diljit Dosanjh -: Diljit Dosanjh is a popular Indian singer and actor. He sings Punjabi and Hindi songs and acts in movies.
Central Government -: The central government is the main government of India, which makes important decisions for the whole country. It is based in New Delhi.
Ticket Scalping -: Ticket scalping is when people buy tickets and then sell them at a much higher price. This is often done to make extra money but is unfair to fans who want to buy tickets at the original price.
Consumer Protection Rules -: These are laws that help protect people who buy things, like concert tickets, from being cheated or treated unfairly.
Grievance Mechanisms -: These are ways for people to complain or report problems if they are unhappy with something they bought or experienced, like a concert ticket issue.
Black-marketing -: Black-marketing is when goods or services are sold illegally, often at higher prices. It is not allowed because it cheats people and the government.
Formal Economy -: The formal economy is the part of the economy that is regulated by the government, where businesses pay taxes and follow laws.
