The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai police has closed the preliminary enquiry initiated into allegations of black marketing of British band Coldplay's concert tickets by Big Tree Entertainment Private Limited, which owns BookMyShow. EOW officials have confirmed that they have not found any 'cognisable material' in the inquiry fit for filing a criminal case, hence they have closed the enquiry. The police began a probe into the matter after advocate Amit Vyas on September 23 last year filed a complaint with EOW regarding the alleged black marketing of tickets for the concert, which was held in January this year at D Y Patil Sports Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Vyas was among scores of Coldplay fans who did not get the tickets to the concert. In his complaint, Vyas made allegations against 23 individuals and entities, including Big Tree Entertainment Private Limited and senior company functionaries. He sought an FIR against the accused for conspiring with a premeditated intent to wrongly black market and scalp on the concert tickets. The complainant claimed the alleged act defrauded him and the general public at large, who are fans of the band. During PE enquiry EOW officials had summoned Ashish Hemrajani, the CEO of the company, and the firm’s technical head. Advocate Vyas, the complainant in the matter, said, "It is disappointing to note that EOW has closed the Preliminary Enquiry. This was not a case against any specific organisation per se but against the widespread practice of black marketing/ticket scalping of all major events, live concerts or sports events that we've all experienced. I will think about initiating appropriate next steps in the matter shortly." BookMyShow declined to comment, stating that they have "nothing to share at the moment."
