Serious concerns have been raised over ticketing practices at the Arun Jaitley Stadium after Delhi and District Cricket Association director Anand Verma accused authorities of denying entry to legitimate spectators while allowing unauthorised individuals to enter using duplicate passes.
In a written complaint to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central District), Verma alleged that he and his invited guests were prevented from accessing the hospitality area despite possessing valid tickets for the Indian Premier League 2026 match between Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians on April 4.
Allegations of Fraudulent Entry
According to Verma, the complimentary tickets issued in his name had already been used by unauthorised individuals.
“When the complainant and his guests arrived at the designated entry gate, they were illegally stopped and denied entry by the security personnel,” Verma stated in his complaint.
“Upon enquiry, the complainant was shocked to learn that the two complimentary physical tickets in his possession had already been scanned and used for entry by some unknown and unauthorised persons.”
He described the incident as a “blatant fraud” and said he immediately informed DDCA Chief Financial Officer Manan Gupta. The matter was also flagged to DDCA President Rohan Jaitley. However, Verma claimed that no satisfactory explanation was provided.
DDCA Denies Wrongdoing
Responding to the allegations, DDCA Secretary Ashok Sharma dismissed claims of misconduct, attributing the issue to a technical glitch.
“Delhi Capitals have communicated to us that it was a technical issue. Sometimes the scanner fails to read the barcode,” Sharma told PTI.
Security Concerns Raised
Verma has termed the alleged misuse of complimentary tickets an “egregious breach of trust,” warning that such lapses could compromise stadium security.
He further alleged a breakdown of internal controls and raised concerns over possible collusion by security personnel, stating that unauthorised access poses a serious risk to public safety during high-profile events.
The complaint has intensified scrutiny of ticketing systems and security arrangements at one of India’s premier cricket venues, with authorities expected to investigate the matter thoroughly.
