Ahmedabad police crack down on IPL final ticket black-marketing, betting, make multiple arrests across city

Ahmedabad City Police launched a city-wide crackdown on illegal ticket black-marketing and betting activities during the Tata IPL 2026 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of match tickets, cash, mobile phones and electronic devices.

Separate cases were registered by police stations across the city after officers acting on specific intelligence inputs allegedly caught several individuals selling IPL final tickets at prices significantly higher than their face value and engaging in unlawful betting activities linked to the high-profile cricket match.

Youth held in Ranip

In one case registered by Vadaj Police, a 21-year-old man identified as Sahil Rafiqbhai Qureshi, was allegedly caught outside D-Mart in Ranip on Sunday evening while attempting to sell four IPL final tickets at inflated prices.

Police received information that a man wearing a maroon shirt and grey trousers was offering tickets for the RCB-Gujarat Titans final at rates exceeding the printed value. Officers allegedly recovered four tickets for the final match and a Vivo mobile phone.

Police claimed that the tickets carried a printed price of ₹2,500 each, while the accused allegedly admitted he was attempting to sell them for ₹5,000 apiece due to high demand for the final. The tickets and mobile phone were seized and a case was registered under relevant provisions of the Gujarat Police Act.

Riverfront raid to arrest black-marketer

In another operation, Riverfront West Police arrested Sunil Rameshbhai Thakor, 29, near the open grounds behind the National Institute of Design (NID).

Police said he was selling tickets of the final at rates ranging from ₹ 5,000 to ₹6,000 despite the ticket carrying a face value of ₹2,500.

Police seized one match ticket and detained the accused, who was subsequently booked under the Gujarat Police Act and provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Sabarmati Police seize cash, MacBook and IPL tickets

One of the largest seizures was reported by Sabarmati Police, who arrested two Rajasthan natives residing in Shahibaug after receiving intelligence about ticket black-marketing near Ramnagar.

The accused were identified as Naveen Kumar Jain, 29, and Sanjay Bhansali, 30. Police alleged that the duo had booked IPL final tickets online and were attempting to resell them at prices ranging between ₹6,000 and ₹8,000 per ticket.

During the raid, officers seized five IPL final tickets, cash amounting to ₹2.88 lakh, five mobile phones and an Apple MacBook Air laptop. The total value of the seized property was estimated at approximately ₹3.58 lakh.

Investigators suspect that the electronic devices may contain information relating to online ticket transactions and are examining the material as part of the investigation.

Three youths caught with tickets near Pragatinagar

Naranpura Police also registered a case after three young men were allegedly found selling IPL final tickets near a garden close to Pragatinagar crossroads in the early hours of Sunday.

The accused were identified as Ayush Goreshbhai, 20, Devansh Bhatt, 19, and Jeet Shah, 21.

Police alleged that the trio possessed multiple tickets for the final and intended to sell them for around ₹6,000 each despite the printed value being substantially lower.

During questioning, the accused allegedly informed investigators that the tickets had been supplied by another individual identified as Jaideep Darbar of Ramnagar, Sabarmati. Police said efforts are underway to trace him.

A total of ten tickets were seized and further investigation has been initiated.