IPL Scam: The IPL has become a global brand, attracting cricket fans from all corners of the world. However, the recent scandals surrounding the tournament are a matter of concern for the organizers.
Cricket’s Indian Premier League (IPL) is no stranger to controversies. The sale of fake match tickets is the latest addition to the tournament, already marred by various scandals, ranging from spot-fixing to bans on players, suspension of franchises, and even the sacking of Lalit Modi as IPL chairman. The sting operation carried out by reporters of a media house, based in India, has brought to light the tournament’s darker side.
Latest scam in IPL
The latest scandal includes fake tickets, black marketing, and the selling of “not for sale” complimentary passes. Reports from various cities suggest that black marketers and touts are thriving, selling tickets in the black market for high-profile matches at exorbitant prices. According to media reports, a ticket worth Rs 500 has been sold for Rs 3000-7000, while final tickets have been reportedly sold for a whopping Rs 2 lakh.
The black marketers have even started selling fake tickets, posing as authorized sellers in hotels, railway stations, and colonies near the stadium. In recent months, police in various cities have arrested black marketers and touts selling fake tickets for IPL matches. In April 2023, as the 16th IPL season got underway, the Delhi police busted a racket involved in printing fake tickets for IPL matches and arrested five people, including three minors.
Black marketing continues
Despite all the arrests, the business of fake tickets and black marketing continues unabated. Even “not for sale” complimentary passes, carrying a warning on them, are being sold in the market by touts for as much as Rs 15,000 per pass.
Selling “not for sale” passes
To investigate this issue, reporters of the said media house posed as buyers and met Mukul Gupta, a tout running a cricket academy in Faridabad, close to the National Capital. Mukul claimed to have “not for sale” complimentary passes for IPL matches to be held at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Ferozshah Kotla ground, in Delhi. According to Mukul, the passes are given to Delhi & District Cricket Association Members (DDCA), the governing body of cricket activities in Delhi. Mukul claimed that he purchases these passes from DDCA members, who receive them from their association.
The investigation has shed light on the corrupt practices in cricket, with the sale of IPL complimentary passes being just one part of the problem. The organization has vowed to continue its investigation into the matter and expose all the individuals involved in this racket.
The IPL has become a global brand, attracting cricket fans from all corners of the world. However, the recent scandals surrounding the tournament are a matter of concern for the organizers. It is high time that the IPL takes strict measures to address these issues and restore the faith of cricket fans in the tournament. Until then, the tournament will continue to be plagued by controversies, and the authorities will struggle to keep the black marketers and touts at bay.
Disclaimer: The article was first published in Tehelka, the scam was exposed by its Special Investigating Team
