A ticket scam has come to light during IPL 2026 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Police have arrested a stadium staff member for selling match tickets illegally at very high prices.
The case has raised serious concerns about black marketing and unfair access to tickets for fans.
What Happened at the Stadium
The incident took place during the match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants on April 15.
A canteen worker named Chadrashekar was arrested by the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch. He is accused of selling around 180 IPL tickets in the black market.
Police say the tickets were sold at very high prices, much more than the original value, which led to the investigation.
Key Details of the Case
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Illegal tickets seized | About 180 |
| Price per ticket | ₹15,000 to ₹19,000 |
| Location | Sri Lakshmi Canteen, Chinnaswamy Stadium |
| Match | RCB vs LSG |
| Date | April 15, 2026 |
Bigger Network Behind the Scam
Police believe this is not a small case and involves a bigger network.
During questioning, it was found that the tickets were supplied by Ganesh Parikshit, a member of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). He allegedly told the worker to sell tickets at higher prices.
Ganesh Parikshit is currently missing, and police have started a search to find him.
Authorities have also filed a case against some private company directors for their possible involvement in illegal ticket sales.
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Investigation and Police Action
The Central Crime Branch is leading the investigation and treating it as a serious case.
Officials are trying to find out how the tickets were distributed and who else is part of this network. They are also tracking money flow related to the illegal sales.
The arrest of the stadium worker is seen as an important step in exposing the black market system.
Ticket Controversy Adds More Pressure
This case has also increased debate around ticket distribution in IPL 2026.
A separate issue came up when Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced that MLAs would receive three free tickets for IPL matches. This decision faced criticism, as many fans struggle to get tickets.
The latest scam has made people question how tickets are managed and whether the system is fair.
The incident shows the need for strict control on ticket sales, especially for high-demand matches.
Authorities have said they will take strong action against anyone involved in black marketing. Fans are also advised to be careful and avoid buying tickets from unofficial sources.
The investigation is still ongoing, and more details may come out soon as police continue to track the network behind the scam.
