On Wednesday, the Delhi High Court agreed to review a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the practice of ticket scalping, where event tickets are resold at inflated prices. A bench comprising Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedeal issued notices to multiple respondents, including the Union Ministries of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY), Finance, and Information and Broadcasting, requesting their input on the matter.
The PIL describes ticket scalping as “illegal, manipulative, and exploitative,” and calls for the creation of a committee to investigate the large-scale ticket reselling that occurred ahead of an upcoming concert by actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh, scheduled for October 26 in Delhi. The petition seeks the development of clear guidelines to curb the black-market sale of tickets or, alternatively, the establishment of a legal framework to regulate scalping.
According to the plea, ticket scalping distorts fair market practices and frequently involves unethical methods such as the use of automated bots, depriving genuine buyers of the opportunity to purchase tickets. It argues that this practice damages the overall fan experience by driving up prices to unaffordable levels, allowing only those who can pay exorbitant amounts to attend events.
The PIL further contends that ticket scalping negatively impacts government revenue, as many transactions occur through unregulated channels, bypassing official taxation systems. Filed by advocate Jatin Yadav, the petition stresses the need for stronger legal measures, enforcement mechanisms, and technological solutions to foster fair and transparent ticketing practices that protect consumers.