City police bowl bouncer at KSCA

Cops intrude into the association's territory; send the drafted rules Regulations of Tickets and Passes for Admission to Places of Public Amusement (Bangalore City) for government approval

City police bowl bouncer at KSCA

Cops intrude into the association's territory; send the drafted rules Regulations of Tickets and Passes for Admission to Places of Public Amusement (Bangalore City) for government approval

Selling tickets for a cricket match at a price more than originally purchased, might lead to arrest and a jail sentence, as a new set of rules are soon to be implemented by the city police.

The city police have sent the drafted rules Regulations of Tickets and Passes for Admission to Places of Public Amusement (Bangalore City) for government approval after collecting public objections on the same.

Police caned cricket enthusiasts scrambling for World Cup tickets for the India-England match held in the city in March

Official sources said a government order on framing the rules was expected shortly, following the cabinet's approval.

MiD DAY carried a report on the matter, following which, then city Police Commissioner Shankar Mahadev Bidari got into drafting the new set of rules.

"We had given a month's time for objections from the public for the draft rules. As there was little or no objections from the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), we have sent it for government approval," said a senior cop.

'Will approach CM'
The KSCA however, does not take kindly to the move and protests the very idea, as it sees the move as an intrusion into its territory.

Secretary of KSCA Javagal Srinath, said, "We had some objections on the draft rules and we have made them known for the authorities.
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If we don't get justice, we will approach the chief minister."

"So far the police had no say in our affairs. But there is always pressure from the higher authorities for tickets whenever a high profile match is to be played in the stadium and police are no exception.

We had kept them at bay, because of which there was much frustration. Now, they are using this route and we have to stop them," said an office bearer of the KSCA.

The rules will not only stop black marketing of tickets for cricket matches, but will also regulate the sale of tickets for all entertainment programs conducted in public places, including music concerts and film promotions.

'We were in loop'
Legislators who raised the issue in the assembly are happy with the rules and are supporting it. "The police commissioner consulted us while the rules were drafted.
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I have gone through the clauses and they are fine," said P M Ashok, a Congress MLA, who is one among the MLAs who were vocal about the issue in the house.

Chaos in the city
The KSCA had witnessed chaotic scenes when police caned cricket enthusiasts scrambling for World Cup tickets for the India-England match held in the city in March.

As allegations of ticket sale in black were being reported, KSCA officials including association President Anil Kumble and Secretary Javagal Srinath came under severe criticism with legislators raising the issue in the assembly.

The police, however, took no action against the alleged black marketers saying that there were no governing rules to regulate the selling of tickets for a cricket match in black.

Draft rules
** Organisers must inform police about the date and venue of the ticket sales much in advance
** At least 50 per cent of the tickets must be sold at the counters
** The ticket sales must be through authorised representatives
** Not more than five tickets to be sold per head
** No association should be allotted more than 50 per cent of tickets
** Announcement about the sales of tickets must be made in media at least two days before the match