Maharashtra Cyber Police Directs BookMyShow to Implement Name-Based Ticketing

Maharashtra Cyber Police mandates name-based ticketing for high-demand events starting December 15, 2024, to tackle scalping. Measures include ID verification and technological checks. While praised as a deterrent, critics argue the directive exceeds legal authority and highlights the need for comprehensive legislation.

In a move to curb black market ticket sales and scalping, the Maharashtra cyber police have directed BookMyShow (BMS) to introduce name-based ticketing for all major concerts and events starting December 15. Tickets will need to display the attendee's name, either printed or embedded in a QR code or RFID band, and attendees must verify their tickets with a government-issued ID at the venue.

This directive follows reports of exorbitant resales for concerts by Coldplay and Diljit Dosanjh’s Dil-Luminati tour. BMS has been allowed to proceed with the Maroon 5 concert on December 3 without implementing name-based ticketing as a one-time exception.

The cyber police also outlined a list of measures for BMS to combat scalping, including deploying AI-based firewalls to filter bot traffic, monitoring social media for ticket resale ads, identifying suspicious purchase patterns, and deploying undercover personnel to identify scalpers at venues. Additionally, dynamic QR codes, tamper-proof bands, and random ID verifications of at least 500 attendees are mandated.

The directive has sparked mixed reactions. Mumbai lawyer Amit Vyas, who filed a PIL on black market ticket sales, welcomed the initiative but emphasized the need for clearer legal frameworks, suggesting the adoption of a system akin to Australia's Major Events Act.

However, technology lawyer Bagmisikha Puhan criticized the notice, calling it excessive and beyond the cyber police’s mandate. She argued that the measures place undue responsibility on entertainment companies and may not effectively address ticket scalping.

The directive follows a notice issued to BMS under Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, empowering the police to prevent cognizable offenses. Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing and the Enforcement Directorate are also investigating ticket resale cases, including one involving Coldplay, which resulted in an FIR and search operations across five states.

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BMS has declined to comment on the directive, while Zomato, another ticketing platform expected to receive similar instructions, is yet to respond.