World Cup semifinal tickets were found being sold at inflated prices of Rs 25,000 during the India–England T20 World Cup semifinal at Wankhede Stadium. The Mumbai Crime Branch took action swiftly, arresting one individual and recovering 10 original match tickets. The accused was reportedly selling tickets at rates much higher than those set by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The Anti-Extortion Cell of the Crime Branch acted upon a complaint from a cricket enthusiast residing in Dongri, who was seeking tickets to watch the semifinal with friends. The complainant encountered a person named Zaheer Bamne, who informed him that ticket prices varied daily and were above the ICC’s fixed price.
On March 4, the accused allegedly demanded Rs 25,000 per ticket and arranged to meet the complainant near a restaurant at Dockyard Road for the transaction. The complainant informed the Crime Branch, leading to the arrest of the accused, Kamaluddin Bamne, 51, at the designated spot. Subsequently, 10 original tickets for various stands at Wankhede Stadium were seized.
Authorities are now investigating how the accused obtained the tickets and whether a larger illicit operation is involved in the black market trading of high-demand World Cup matches. Ticket prices for the semifinal reportedly ranged from Rs 2,500 to Rs 45,000 for different stands, including premium seats at the Garware Pavilion.
