Bhubaneswar: In a major crackdown ahead of the highly anticipated India-England one-day international (ODI) match at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, the Dargha Bazar police arrested seven persons for illegally reselling tickets at exorbitant prices.
Acting on a tip-off, the police conducted surprise raids at multiple locations, leading to the arrest of the accused and the seizure of 25 tickets, ₹30,000 in cash, three mobile phones, and two motorcycles.
According to reports, the India-England ODI is scheduled for February 9, and cricket enthusiasts across Odisha are eagerly awaiting the match.
However, ticket black marketeers have been exploiting the high demand by purchasing tickets in bulk through hired labourers and reselling them at inflated rates. Tickets originally priced at ₹1,100 were being sold for as much as ₹7,000 in the grey market.
Following intelligence inputs, the Dargha Bazar police swiftly launched operations to curb the illegal activity. The authorities have urged the public to refrain from buying tickets through unauthorized sources.