Nagpur, India: Based on confidential information about the illegal sale of tickets for the India vs England ODI match on February 6, 2025, Nagpur police arrested two more individuals involved in the racket.

The city police initiated a cyber surveillance operation to monitor black market activities on social media. Under the directives of senior officials, the Cyber Police Station’s Social Media Cell closely tracked platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, and AI-based tools to identify those engaged in unauthorized ticket sales.

On February 5, investigators came across a suspicious post on the Instagram profile ‘Nagpur_wow,’ promoting match tickets for sale at inflated prices:

• ₹8,000 ticket being sold for ₹12,000 (3 available)

• ₹5,000 ticket being sold for ₹10,000 (2 available)

• ₹3,000 ticket being sold for ₹7,000 (3 available)

The post included a contact number (8999123887), which the police traced to Azhar Salim Sheikh, a resident of Vidarbha Complex, Sakardara, Nagpur.

Police set a trap and caught two individuals with tickets worth ₹34,000.

In a quick operation, the police visited Sheikh’s home and questioned him about the Instagram post. He admitted that the ‘Nagpur_wow’ profile was run by his friend, Rohit Gopal Zode (24), who lives in Garoba Maidan, Kapse Chowk, Nagpur.

Further inquiry revealed that Zode had:

• Two ₹5,000 tickets in his possession, which he intended to sell at a premium.

• Three ₹8,000 tickets also being sold at inflated prices.

Following police instructions, Sheikh called Zode to Sakardara Chowk, where officers caught him and confiscated five tickets worth ₹34,000.

Legal proceedings have begun. The accused were charged under Section 112(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, for illegally reselling match tickets at inflated prices. Nagpur’s Cyber Police Station is continuing its investigation to identify others involved in the ticket black market.

More accounts under police scanner:

Authorities have also taken legal action against other social media accounts engaged in ticket black marketing, including:

1. Instagram Reel Post

2. Twitter/X User – _BabuBhaiya

3. Twitter/X User – Gaurav M31075116

Senior police officers are supervising the investigation.

The operation was carried out under the direction of the Nagpur Police Commissioner, Additional Police Commissioner (Crime), and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber), Nagpur.

Nagpur police have issued a warning that strict measures will be taken against anyone participating in the illegal sale of match tickets.