The Kolkata Police have reportedly launched an investigation against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and ticketing platform BookMyShow for allegedly promoting black marketing of tickets for the ICC Men’s ODI Cricket World Cup.
The investigation was prompted by a complaint by an individual against each of the organisations. The complaint was received at the Maidan Police Station in Kolkata from a cricket fan that alleged that the public were unable to obtain tickets for Sunday’s match between India and South Africa at the 66,000-capacity Eden Gardens in Kolkata, due to the collusion of BookMyShow, and CAB and BCCI officials.
According to India’s National Herald, the allegation is being taken seriously as one individual was arrested earlier this week for attempting to sell tickets for the same match.
“As many as 20 tickets of the match were seized from him. He was trying to sell those tickets at an exorbitant price of Rs 11,000 (£68/€78/$83) a ticket as against the quoted price of Rs 2,500,” a city police official said.
The ticketing strategy of the tournament has come under fire from cricket fans, after ticket sales began little over a month before the first match. Reigning champions England opened the tournament against New Zealand, but many fans were confused over the lack of attendance.
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India is set to run until November 19, with the final scheduled to take place at the 132,000-capacity Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
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