The Allegations

A formal investigation into allegations of a relationship between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has been launched by the Kolkata Police (KP). After failing to secure tickets for the much-awaited November 5 Eden Gardens match between India and South Africa, a cricket enthusiast lodged the complaint. The authorities have requested an explanation from Cricket Association of Bengal representatives after the formal complaint was submitted to Maidan Thana.

The second semifinal of the World Cup will take place at Eden Gardens on November 16 in addition to the India match, which is expected to draw a large crowd. It is said here that several BCCI and CAB officials deliberately set aside a significant portion of tickets intended for the public, making those tickets available to black marketers for their own convenience.

Action from Kolkata Police

The president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), Snehashis Gangopadhyay, has been contacted by the KP regarding an inquiry into the illicit selling of World Cup match tickets. It has been requested that the brother of the current president of the BCCI, Gangopadhyay, who captained the Indian men’s team in the past, appear within the next twenty-four hours.

At the Maidan police station in Kolkata, officials of BookMyShow, the official ticketing partner of the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup, began questioning on Friday, November 3, 2023. On Thursday, a notification was also given to BookMyShow administrators. 16 persons have been detained and seven charges have been brought by the KP for the illegal sale of World Cup tickets. The police said that tickets valued at Rs 900 were being offered for Rs 8,000 on the underground market after seizing 94 tickets.

In anticipation of the top-of-the-table match of hosts India Vs South Africa at Eden Gardens on Sunday, November 5, the police have been conducting searches in various locations since Wednesday and closely monitoring social media to keep a watch out for dubious transactions.

Three guys, Subhradip Bhattacharya, Suman Sarder, and Sandipan Laha, were reportedly detained by the police for allegedly selling India-South Africa match tickets valued Rs 8,000 for Rs 900 after receiving a specific complaint from a cricket enthusiast. The offender was found in possession of 17 tickets in all. The accused, as well as representatives of the CAB and BookMyShow, were the subject of a complaint brought to the Netaji Nagar police station under the applicable provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the West Bengal Black Marketing Act.

Complains from Clubs

Numerous club members have also voiced their displeasure, claiming that despite being life members of the Bengal Cricket Association, they are unable to obtain seats. One of these members, Arindam Kanti Bose, said, “I am a life member cardholder of the Cricket Association of Bengal for the previous 30 years.” “Me and many other members have been denied tickets to the World Cup semifinal and the India-South Africa match. We were informed that, as per a notice posted in Anandbazar Patrika by CAB, all members are required to renew their membership cards by October 24th. However, I don’t read the paper. They have the option to contact us or write us a letter. This is incorrect.

Highlights

• A complaint from cricket fans over the alleged black selling of India vs South Africa tickets led to the opening of a case at the Maidan Police Station on November 2.
• Numerous tickets meant for the general public were reserved by a number of BCCI and CAB officials as well as the internet ticket purchase facility, making them accessible to black marketeers.
• An allegation against the Board of Control for Cricket in India has prompted the KP to launch an inquiry.
• The police in Kolkata have detained sixteen persons and filed seven complaints.

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References

News18. Kolkata Police Starts Investigation Against Cricket Association Of Bengal.

Mint. Black marketing of World Cup tickets: Kolkata Police summons Cricket Associations of Bengal over allegation.

The Indian Express. World Cup ticket black marketing: Sourav Ganguly’s brother summoned by police; 16 held.

Dajiworld. Cricket WC tickets’ black marketing: Kolkata Police initiate probe against BCCI, CAB, BookMyShow.

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