In a significant crackdown on IPL ticket black marketing, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) has arrested a canteen employee at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for allegedly selling match tickets at inflated prices during the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 season. The accused, identified as Chandrashekhar, was employed at the Sri Lakshmi Canteen within the stadium premises and was reportedly caught red-handed while engaging in illegal ticket sales.

According to police officials, Chandrashekhar allegedly sold more than 100 tickets at prices ranging from ₹15,000 to ₹19,000—far exceeding their original value. Investigations revealed that these tickets were linked to high-profile matches, including the clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders on March 28, as well as the fixture between RCB and Lucknow Super Giants.

Police sources indicated that the accused had access to tickets across multiple seating categories and allegedly contacted buyers directly by phone to arrange off-the-record deals. During interrogation, Chandrashekhar claimed that the tickets were supplied by a KSCA member, Ganesh Parikshit, who is currently absconding.

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Authorities suspect that the tickets were routed through corporate allocations and passed on to intermediaries for resale in the black market. The investigation has since expanded, with the CCB probing the possible involvement of private firms in facilitating the illegal distribution of tickets.

Chandrashekhar was working at Sri Lakshmi Canteen inside the stadium. He was caught by CCB officials while allegedly selling more than 1️⃣8️⃣0️⃣ IPL tickets in the black market at prices ranging between Rs 15,000 and Rs 19,000 per ticket.#IPL #IPL2026 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/ZzlrM11f1D

— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) April 17, 2026

FIRs have reportedly been filed against managing directors of certain companies suspected of aiding the diversion process. Notices have also been issued to DNA Network Management, with officials planning to question its representatives regarding ticket allocation channels.

Law enforcement authorities clarified that while ticket resale is not illegal, selling them at inflated prices constitutes an offence. The probe, led by CCB DCP Srihari Babu, aims to uncover the entire network behind this operation, including intermediaries and corporate links.

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Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh emphasised that efforts to curb black marketing have been ongoing since the start of the IPL. He noted that stricter monitoring of online ticket sales has helped reduce such practices, but added that further arrests are likely as the investigation continues.