Ahmedabad Police Intensify Crackdown on Ticket Touts Ahead of T20 World Cup Final
As anticipation mounts for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final scheduled at Narendra Modi Stadium this Sunday, authorities in Ahmedabad have launched a rigorous enforcement campaign targeting illegal ticket resale activities. Police have confirmed the arrest of five individuals in connection with overpriced re-sales and suspected counterfeit tickets, both online and in the vicinity of the stadium.
Targeted Operations and Arrests Across Key Locations
In response to numerous public complaints, police teams have been strategically deployed around critical areas such as Gate No. 1 and Gate No. 2 to suppress black-marketing. On March 6, during late-evening patrols near the Metro station, officers acted on specific intelligence and detained Vansh Shah, an 18-year-old resident of Vasna. He was allegedly selling two final-match tickets for Rs 22,000, despite each having a printed price of only Rs 2,000. The tickets were seized, and a case was registered under the Gujarat Police Act for unauthorized sale and black-marketing.
In a separate incident, Sabarmati police arrested Pruthvi Patni, aged 19, near Meldi Pan Parlour at Acher Crossroads. Authorities alleged that Patni was reselling tickets, originally purchased online for Rs 2,000, at inflated prices ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000. A total of eight tickets were recovered from his possession.
Additional Arrests Highlight Widespread Black-Marketing
Chandkheda police conducted a raid resulting in the arrest of Dilawar Valiya, a 28-year-old resident of Ambala in Haryana. Two tickets were seized during this operation, with police stating he was attempting to sell them at rates significantly higher than the printed price.
Furthermore, the city crime branch apprehended two more suspects, Vipin Bhati from Jodhpur and Ritik Yadav from Mumbai, near the Usmanpura Gujarat Vidyapith ST bus stand. Police recovered eight tickets from the duo, who had reportedly booked them online in advance and were selling them at approximately three times the original price, demanding around Rs 10,000 per ticket.
Public Complaints and Warnings About Counterfeit Tickets
This crackdown follows escalating public grievances regarding ticket scams, including a notable report where a buyer paid Rs 60,000 for two tickets that lacked official logos or stamps, raising strong suspicions of counterfeiting. Although the buyer opted not to file a formal complaint, police have emphasized that black-marketing has expanded to social media platforms, with listings ranging from Rs 15,000 to over Rs 1 lakh.
Officials have issued stern warnings about the prevalence of colour photocopies and tickets with altered details. They urge fans to purchase tickets exclusively through authorized channels to avoid fraud. All tickets will be thoroughly scanned at entry points to ensure authenticity and prevent unauthorized access.
The police's proactive measures aim to safeguard fans from exploitation and maintain order during this high-profile sporting event, underscoring the importance of vigilance in ticket purchases.
