Black-Marketing Scandal Rocks RCB vs CSK Clash; KSCA Officials Under Scanner

The high-voltage IPL 2025 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium drew massive crowds and excitement, but it also exposed a darker undercurrent — black ticketing. Bengaluru’s Central Crime Branch (CCB) arrested four individuals for selling match tickets at inflated prices, triggering a broader investigation that now includes officials from the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).

CCB Nabs Four with Dozens of Tickets Outside Stadium

The police identified the accused as S Charan Raj, H Harshavardhan Sanklecha, K Vinay, and B Venkata Sai. Authorities apprehended them outside the stadium on Saturday with 32 tickets in hand. The original ticket price was INR 1,200, but the accused attempted to sell them at a staggering INR 10,000 each.

“This is not just a case of street-level touting. We’re examining how such large quantities of tickets landed in the hands of individuals unauthorised to distribute them,” a senior CCB official told The Hindustan Times. Initial reports suggest that Venkat Sai sourced most of the bulk tickets, raising suspicions of a deeper racket involving internal access.

Repeat Offense Raises Alarm Bells Within IPL Ecosystem

This incident marks the second time during the 2025 season that black ticketing has come under the scanner. About a month ago, the CCB arrested eight individuals — including stadium and canteen staff — for illegally reselling tickets. In that case, police recovered 18 tickets across various price categories, including INR 1,200, INR 5,000, and INR 13,000, being resold for as much as INR 32,000.

Investigators now believe that the issue runs deeper than isolated incidents and may involve a coordinated network within the KSCA. Sources confirmed that several KSCA members may be summoned for questioning as the inquiry progresses.

IPL Integrity in Question Amid Growing Black-Marketing Concerns

The shocking revelations have cast a shadow over the integrity of the IPL ticketing system. With fan enthusiasm at an all-time high, particularly for marquee matchups like RCB vs CSK, black-marketing remains a serious threat to fair access. Law enforcement continues to tighten the noose around those exploiting the system, while cricketing authorities face mounting pressure to ensure transparency and accountability.

The investigation still unfolds. Both fans and officials await clarity on how deep the roots of this malpractice run. Stricter protocols will follow to prevent further exploitation in future matches.

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