Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) questioned Anil Makhija for close to seven hours on Monday (30 September) regarding an alleged ticket scam for upcoming Coldplay concerts in January 2025. Makhija is the COO of Big Tree Entertainment, which is the parent company of BookMyShow.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Vyas's complaint to the EOW alleged that BookMyShow had tied-up&nbsp;with ticket reselling platforms such as Viagogo to black-market the concert tickets. Fans took to social media to express their disappointment and disbelief, stating that the tickets for the concert were sold for lakhs of rupees on unofficial websites.

<h4 lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4b6ee504-e100-4382-a16d-48918461d13f}{170}" paraid="1484774139" >What is the ticket scam all about?&nbsp;</h4>

A police officer from the EOW said, "We questioned Anil Makhija, COO of Big Tree Entertainment, for seven hours. We had summoned the CEO, Ashish Hemrajani, however he sent Makhija. We questioned him and are trying to understand the entire matter. He has given answers to our questions (and) we will analyse them and then decide the further course of action."&nbsp;

The complaint said, "The sale of the concert tickets was controlled by BookMyShow in such a manner that the genuine customers... were intentionally logged out of the platform seconds before 12 noon [on 22 September], the time when the tickets went live, or were not allowed to access the platform to buy tickets for the concert."&nbsp;

Further adding, "However, simultaneously, the tickets were made available to Viagogo in bulk, which started black-marketing these tickets at very high prices. A ticket which was sold at&nbsp;INR 2,500 [on BookMyShow] was sold at&nbsp;INR 96,300 [on reselling platforms], which went up to&nbsp;INR 2,50,000."&nbsp;

<h4 lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3b9cf14b-6d33-43b8-a65d-f4bdf792abbc}{170}" paraid="1573046904" >Netizens react:</h4>

The concerts are&nbsp;scheduled to take place in Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium in the month of January 2025. However, since the tickets were sold out last week rapidly; the overwhelming response crashed BookMyShow’s app and website for a short while, right before the tickets went live at noon on 22 September.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/chris-martin-reveals-coldplays-retirement-plan-only-12-albums-763354">Chris Martin reveals Coldplay's retirement plan: 'Only 12 albums'</a>

<h4 lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3b9cf14b-6d33-43b8-a65d-f4bdf792abbc}{170}" paraid="1573046904" >BookMyShow's response:&nbsp;</h4>

In response to these allegations, a BookMyShow spokesperson earlier said, "It came to our notice that unauthorised platforms listed (and are continuing to list) tickets for Coldplay's Music Of The Spheres World Tour 2025 in India, both before and after the official sale. BookMyShow has no association with any such unauthorised ticket selling/reselling platforms including but not limited to Viagogo and Gigsberg or third-party individuals for the purpose of reselling Coldplay's Music Of The Spheres World Tour 2025 in India."&nbsp;

The spokesperson further emphasised, "Scalping and black marketing of tickets is strictly condemned and punishable by law in India and BookMyShow vehemently opposes this practice. We have not only filed a complaint with the police authorities but are also proactively working with them to provide complete support in the investigation of this matter in any manner that may be required."&nbsp;

The company also cautioned consumers, highlighting, "To our consumers, we would like to reiterate that any tickets bought from unauthorised sources will be at their own risk and may likely be invalid or fake tickets."&nbsp;

Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) questioned Anil Makhija for close to seven hours on Monday (30 September) regarding an alleged ticket scam for upcoming Coldplay concerts in January 2025.

Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) questioned Anil Makhija for close to seven hours on Monday (30 September) regarding an alleged ticket scam for upcoming Coldplay concerts in January 2025. Makhija is the COO of Big Tree Entertainment, which is the parent company of BookMyShow. Vyas's complaint to the EOW alleged that BookMyShow had tied-up with ticket reselling platforms such as Viagogo to black-market the concert tickets. Fans took to social media to express their disappointment and disbelief, stating that the tickets for the concert were sold for lakhs of rupees on unofficial websites. What is the ticket scam all about? A police officer from the EOW said, "We questioned Anil Makhija, COO of Big Tree Entertainment, for seven hours. We had summoned the CEO, Ashish Hemrajani, however he sent Makhija. We questioned him and are trying to understand the entire matter. He has given answers to our questions (and) we will analyse them and then decide the further course of action." The complaint said, "The sale of the concert tickets was controlled by BookMyShow in such a manner that the genuine customers... were intentionally logged out of the platform seconds before 12 noon [on 22 September], the time when the tickets went live, or were not allowed to access the platform to buy tickets for the concert." Further adding, "However, simultaneously, the tickets were made available to Viagogo in bulk, which started black-marketing these tickets at very high prices. A ticket which was sold at INR 2,500 [on BookMyShow] was sold at INR 96,300 [on reselling platforms], which went up to INR 2,50,000." Netizens react: The concerts are scheduled to take place in Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium in the month of January 2025. However, since the tickets were sold out last week rapidly; the overwhelming response crashed BookMyShow’s app and website for a short while, right before the tickets went live at noon on 22 September. Also Read: Chris Martin reveals Coldplay's retirement plan: 'Only 12 albums' BookMyShow's response: In response to these allegations, a BookMyShow spokesperson earlier said, "It came to our notice that unauthorised platforms listed (and are continuing to list) tickets for Coldplay's Music Of The Spheres World Tour 2025 in India, both before and after the official sale. BookMyShow has no association with any such unauthorised ticket selling/reselling platforms including but not limited to Viagogo and Gigsberg or third-party individuals for the purpose of reselling Coldplay's Music Of The Spheres World Tour 2025 in India." The spokesperson further emphasised, "Scalping and black marketing of tickets is strictly condemned and punishable by law in India and BookMyShow vehemently opposes this practice. We have not only filed a complaint with the police authorities but are also proactively working with them to provide complete support in the investigation of this matter in any manner that may be required." The company also cautioned consumers, highlighting, "To our consumers, we would like to reiterate that any tickets bought from unauthorised sources will be at their own risk and may likely be invalid or fake tickets."

Coldplay concert ticket scam: BookMyShow chief summoned over alleged fraud

Rejoice Coldplay fans. The British rock band will now perform in India for the first time at the Global Citizen Festival in the western city of Mumbai.&nbsp; 
 
The group will perform for free at the festival which takes place on November 19.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Just like our annual festival in Central Park, tickets to the Indian festival will be free. Fans will earn them through taking actions in support of education, equality and sanitation campaigns,&quot; the organisers said on the official website. The organisers have also denied press reports that the concert would be exorbitantly expensive. 
 
The festival has been taking place each year since 2012 at New York&#39;s Central Park on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. It aims at pushing world leaders to put anti-poverty efforts high on the agenda. 
 
Incidentally, the festival is being organised on World Toilet Day. While most Coldplay fans likely have indoor plumbing, around half of Indians do not have regular access to modern toilets, presenting a major public health hazard. 
 
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who is known for his work in the development sector, is the creative director of the Global Citizen Festival. &nbsp;India is not a new interest for Coldplay, whose video, Hymn for the Weekend, released in January, was shot in the country and featured Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor. 
 
In July 2015, Chris Martin also met India&#39;s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal as a part of the Global Poverty Project delegation to discuss development goals. PM Modi also attended the Global Citizen Festival in 2014 to lend his support to their cause. 
 
The latest New York edition of the Global Citizen Festival, which takes place on September 24, will feature R&amp;B superstar Rihanna, metal greats Metallica and leading rapper Kendrick Lamar. 
 
Further details of Coldplay&#39;s November concert are likely to be released on Monday. 
 
(WION with inputs from AFP) 
 
&nbsp;

'Fans will earn tickets through taking actions in support of education, equality and sanitation campaigns,' organisers said in a statement

Rejoice Coldplay fans. The British rock band will now perform in India for the first time at the Global Citizen Festival in the western city of Mumbai. The group will perform for free at the festival which takes place on November 19. "Just like our annual festival in Central Park, tickets to the Indian festival will be free. Fans will earn them through taking actions in support of education, equality and sanitation campaigns," the organisers said on the official website. The organisers have also denied press reports that the concert would be exorbitantly expensive. The festival has been taking place each year since 2012 at New York's Central Park on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. It aims at pushing world leaders to put anti-poverty efforts high on the agenda. Incidentally, the festival is being organised on World Toilet Day. While most Coldplay fans likely have indoor plumbing, around half of Indians do not have regular access to modern toilets, presenting a major public health hazard. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who is known for his work in the development sector, is the creative director of the Global Citizen Festival. India is not a new interest for Coldplay, whose video, Hymn for the Weekend, released in January, was shot in the country and featured Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor. In July 2015, Chris Martin also met India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal as a part of the Global Poverty Project delegation to discuss development goals. PM Modi also attended the Global Citizen Festival in 2014 to lend his support to their cause. The latest New York edition of the Global Citizen Festival, which takes place on September 24, will feature R&B superstar Rihanna, metal greats Metallica and leading rapper Kendrick Lamar. Further details of Coldplay's November concert are likely to be released on Monday. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Coldplay to perform for free in India, fans will 'earn' their tickets

coldplay-india-concert

Coldplay India Concert, News on Coldplay India Concert, stories on Coldplay India Concert, articles on Coldplay India Concert, Coldplay India Concert stories at Wion, Coldplay India Concert news, Coldplay India Concert latest news

coldplay india-concert

Coldplay concert ticket scam: BookMyShow chief summoned over alleged fraud

Coldplay to perform for free in India, fans will 'earn' their tickets