FIR lodged against BookMyShow, INOX for selling all tickets online in violation of order
Vijay had filed the first complaint on 11 November 2021 in the office of the commissioner of police, Hyderabad. Later, on 1 December, he again filed a complaint with the Sultan Bazar police. On 16 March 2022, he filed another complaint with the Sultan Bazar police and this was considered. Finally, a case was registered against BookMyShow and Inox management on 26 March.
By Nimisha S Pradeep
Hyderabad: A case was filed against BookMyShow and INOX management at Sultan Bazar police station on 26 March for violating the rule that said only 50% of movie tickets can be sold online. The complaint was filed by Vijay Gopal, an RTA activist in Hyderabad, on 16 March.
According to GO 47 of 2006, 50% of the tickets should be reserved for sale by the cinema licensee in the licensed booking office at the cinema theatre. The complainant, Vijay Gopal, alleged that there is a nexus between BookMyShow and multiplexes or theatres by selling all tickets online, collecting unreasonably high convenience fees of around Rs. 35-40, and sharing it between them.
"They are making unreasonable profits and it is also a violation of the law. Also, it is an additional financial burden on people who do not wish to buy a ticket online," says Vijay.
Vijay had filed the first complaint on 11 November 2021 in the office of the commissioner of police, Hyderabad. Later, on 1 December, he again filed a complaint with the Sultan Bazar police. On 16 March 2022, he filed another complaint with the Sultan Bazar police and this was considered. Finally, a case was registered against BookMyShow and Inox management on 26 March.
Following this Vijay tweeted, "White-collared crimes are more dangerous to society. It has become a fashion to form a syndicate, and hurt customers. Selling 100% tickets online is not bad but merely for sharing the revenue made from convenience fee placing everything online is not right and is a violation of explicit laws."
Bikshapathi, the SHO of Sulthan Bazar police station, ascertained that there has been a violation of rules and that the police are investigating the case. Interestingly, it is only after four months of filing the first complaint at the Hyderabad commissioner's office that the FIR was registered.
