A canteen worker at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has been arrested for allegedly selling Indian Premier League tickets at inflated prices, exposing a wider black market network involving corporate entities and insiders, police said.
The accused, identified as Chandrashekhar, was employed at Sri Lakshmi Canteen inside the stadium. He was apprehended by the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch (CCB) while allegedly selling over 180 tickets in the black market at prices ranging between ₹15,000 and ₹19,000 each.
According to officials, the tickets were for the high-demand match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants held on April 15.
The probe was initiated following inputs about bulk ticket purchases being diverted for resale at inflated rates. During the investigation, police traced the tickets to online bookings made through Ticketgenie under the names of private firms, including Swastik Heavy Engineering and Industrial Automation Consultant Company, and Dharani Computers Company.
Authorities also found a similar pattern during the March 28 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings, where tickets were allegedly bought in bulk and resold at higher prices.
In total, 181 tickets worth ₹17.52 lakh were found to have been illegally diverted and sold.
During questioning, Chandrashekhar reportedly revealed that the tickets were supplied by Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) member Ganesh Pareekshit, who is currently absconding. A manhunt has been launched to trace him.
Police have also registered cases against managing directors of certain private firms for their alleged role in facilitating the illegal sale of tickets.
