Supreme Court Dismisses Plea For Guidelines To Regulate Ticket Scalping & Black Marketing

The Supreme Court on Monday (April 28) refused to entertain a plea seeking guidelines to regulate ‘ticket scalping’ and black-marketing of the online tickets of concerts and other mega events.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar refused to interfere with the judgment of the Bombay High Court, which dismissed the Public Interest Litigation which was filed in the wake of the bookings for Coldplay’s concert. However, the bench allowed the petitioner to make a representation to the Central Government and the State Government.

As soon as the matter was taken, CJI Sanjiv Khanna expressed the Court’s disinclination to interfere. Senior Advocate Shyam Divan, for the petitioner, submitted that they have pointed out the global practices, which could be adopted in India.

“These events are coming to India in a big way. This was a problem which was felt globally. We have set out in detail what the parameters and statutory interventions are across the world. First thing, just as you have a railway ticket, specify the name of the person(buyer), that is a primary safeguard across the world. So it is specific to an individual. Second, in Australia, if you have to re-sell your ticket, you have to do that through a government agency or portal and the maximum you can have a premium of 10%…,” Divan submitted. However, CJI interjected to say that the petitioners can point out these aspects in their representation.

When Divan spoke about the use of automated systems like bots to “squeeze out” genuine individuals from the booking platforms, CJI said that now tools have been developed to control bots. Saying that there are “more pressing matters before the Court”, CJI proceeded to dictate the order of dismissal.

Case : Amit Vyas vs Union of India | D No. 9779/2025

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