Royal Challengers Bengaluru may have enjoyed a successful night at the Chinnaswamy Stadium earlier this week against Lucknow Super Giants, but fresh allegations have cast a shadow over the franchise’s off-field operations. Reports claim that a kitchen employee at the venue was involved in selling tickets illegally at inflated rates, with the price range reportedly falling between ₹15,000 and ₹19,000.
More than 180 tickets are said to have been sold by the staff member, identified as Chandrashekhar. The Chinnaswamy Stadium is home to a canteen called Sri Lakshmi Canteen, where Chandrashekhar worked. He has now been taken into custody and is being questioned by local police as investigators look into the extent of the ticket racket.
The situation, police believe, is unlikely to be the work of a single individual. Investigators suggest there were additional people involved in enabling and distributing the tickets at such high prices.
So how did the authorities get wind of it? Complaints had reportedly been received that bulk IPL tickets were being resold for exorbitant sums. When the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch (CCB) intensified its probe, Chandrashekhar became a key point of inquiry.
Police investigations reportedly found that tickets were purchased in large quantities through Ticketgenie under different business names, including Swastik Heavy Engineering and Industrial Automation Consultant Company, along with Dharani Computers. According to the findings being discussed, the tickets were then rerouted to the black market.
This alleged practice is also not claimed to be limited to the most recent incident at the venue. Ahead of the 2026 IPL opener between RCB and SRH, a comparable scam is said to have been carried out.
During the March 28 clash between RCB and SRH, a similar pattern is reported to have been spotted. In that match, 81 tickets worth ₹6.6 lakh were bought and sold at higher prices. Taken together, investigators say 181 tickets worth ₹17.52 lakh were illegally sold. During questioning, Chandrashekhar is alleged to have stated that the tickets were supplied by KSCA member Ganesh Pareekshit, who is currently absconding. Police have launched a search operation and have also booked managing directors connected to firms believed to be linked to the racket.
While the controversy may be uncomfortable for those involved off the field, RCB’s on-field work has been sharply impressive. After five matches so far, the team has won four. Their victories have been convincing, and their only defeat in the campaign has come against Rajasthan Royals. Currently, RCB sit second in the points table, just behind Punjab Kings, who moved to the top after beating Mumbai Indians on Thursday.
