In a significant move against the illegal sale of Indian Premier League (IPL) tickets, Bengaluru police apprehended a canteen employee at Chinnaswamy Stadium for possessing approximately 100 tickets. This incident sheds light once again on the ongoing issues surrounding ticket distribution during IPL 2026.
The individual in question, known as Chandrashekhar, worked at Sri Lakshmi Canteen within the stadium and allegedly participated in reselling tickets at inflated prices during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs. Lucknow Super Giants match. Authorities caught Chandrashekhar red-handed while attempting to sell tickets for amounts ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 19,000, well above their original value.
Upon interrogation, the accused disclosed that KSCA member Ganesh Parikshit had supplied the tickets and instructed him to sell them at higher rates for profit. Parikshit is currently evading authorities, prompting a manhunt to locate him. The Central Crime Branch (CCB) has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against managing directors of certain private firms for their alleged involvement in facilitating the illicit ticket sales.
The discovery of a substantial number of tickets raises concerns about the prevalence of black market activities during prominent IPL matches in Bengaluru. This development comes at a time when ticket distribution practices in Karnataka have been under intense scrutiny, with various controversies emerging recently.
This latest arrest adds to the existing array of issues surrounding IPL ticket allocation in the state. Previously, a contentious situation unfolded when Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced that all MLAs in the state would receive three complimentary tickets for IPL matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
This decision sparked criticism from legislators of all parties who raised concerns about insufficient ticket allotment and seating arrangements. Opposition figures also denounced the move as emblematic of VIP treatment while genuine fans struggled to secure tickets.
The ongoing scrutiny of both black market activities and preferential ticket distribution highlights concerns about transparency and equitable access for fans within Karnataka’s IPL ticketing system.