IPL final in Ahmedabad: Attempts to enter without ticket, phone theft, and black marketing

Despite multi-layered security arrangements at the Narendra Modi Stadium during the IPL final, several individuals attempted to enter the venue without valid tickets, raising concerns over crowd management and ticketing loopholes. Authorities, however, maintained that all such unauthorised entry attempts were thwarted at different levels of security checks.

The stadium, which has a seating capacity exceeding one lakh, witnessed a massive turnout yesterday, with over a lakh people assembling around the venue, including a significant number of individuals without tickets. According to the police, the situation remained under control, and there were no law and order disruptions.

Security filters in place, fake tickets detected early

Officials explained that the entry process was divided into several verification layers. The first layer involved volunteers from the ticketing agency, who manually checked tickets. At this stage, individuals attempting to pass through with colour photocopies, outdated tickets, or screenshots of QR codes were sometimes able to slip through.

However, these persons were immediately flagged during the second layer of checking at the automated turnstiles, which used barcode scanners to verify ticket authenticity. Police stationed at these points identified and intercepted such unauthorised entrants. In several instances, individuals were either turned away at the gate or escorted out of the stadium premises in police vehicles. Officials confirmed that all persons found without valid tickets were frisked, and none were found in possession of any items that posed a security threat.

“Due to the alertness of our personnel across gates, DFMDs (Door Frame Metal Detectors), ramps, and podiums, multiple unauthorised entrants were identified and stopped. The situation was handled effectively without any breach,” said a senior police officer involved in the bandobast.

Phone theft complaints emerge amidst large crowd

While the overall security operation was deemed successful, Chandkheda police confirmed that six cases of mobile phone theft or snatching were registered, either as FIRs or e-FIRs, during the course of the match. Investigations are currently underway, with two suspects already arrested and stolen mobile phones recovered.

When asked whether the thefts pointed to an organised racket, police sources indicated that further investigation would determine the scale and structure of the operation.

Black market ticket sale racket busted

Amid allegations of ticket black marketing, city police registered two separate FIRs involving unauthorised resale of IPL final tickets. In connection with these cases, three individuals have been arrested and fifteen tickets recovered. The probe continues into the possible involvement of a broader network.

The IPL final, held under high security amid enormous public enthusiasm, posed significant logistical challenges to law enforcement. However, the authorities maintained that their proactive measures helped prevent unauthorised access, detect counterfeit tickets, and address emerging issues without any escalation.