Hyderabad Police have arrested four people, including a Hyderabad Cricket Association member and his son, over the alleged black-market sale of complimentary passes for the India vs West Indies fourth T20I. Police reportedly seized 11 match passes marked “NOT FOR SALE” during the investigation.
Hyderabad Police have arrested four people, including a member of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) and his son, over the alleged illegal sale of complimentary passes for the fourth T20 International between India and the West Indies.
The arrests took place ahead of the match scheduled for October 14, 2026, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad. According to media reports, the investigation concerns complimentary passes that were marked “NOT FOR SALE” but were allegedly being offered to cricket fans at inflated prices.
Who Are the Four People Arrested?
The accused have been identified in media reports as HCA member Satish Chandra Srivastava, his son Akarshit Srivastava, Avinash Darak and Mohith Somani.
According to police, Darak and Somani were intercepted near SD Mall in the Begum Bazaar area after officers received information about the alleged sale of match tickets.
Police reportedly seized 11 complimentary cricket match passes from the two men. Investigators subsequently apprehended Akarshit Srivastava and his father in connection with the case.
All four were arrested on October 13, according to reports, and were remanded to judicial custody. The allegations remain subject to the legal process.
Police Seize 11 Passes Marked “NOT FOR SALE”
One of the key details in the case is the marking on the seized passes. Reports state that the 11 complimentary match passes carried the words “NOT FOR SALE”.
Police also reportedly seized eight passes for a Navratri event, ₹5,000 in cash, mobile phones and a two-wheeler during the operation.
According to the reported police account, the investigation began after officers received information about the alleged sale of India-West Indies match passes in Begum Bazaar.
The authorities are examining how the complimentary passes were obtained and distributed, as well as the alleged role of the people arrested.
How Were the Passes Allegedly Offered for Sale?
According to reports citing the police investigation, the complimentary passes were allegedly obtained through Akarshit Srivastava, who reportedly received them from his father, an HCA member associated with the Uppal cricket stadium.
Investigators allege that the passes were subsequently supplied to Darak, who, along with Somani, advertised them through social media platforms, including WhatsApp status updates and Instagram.
Interested buyers reportedly contacted them through these platforms. The passes were allegedly offered at prices higher than their original cost, which was zero because they were complimentary.
These details are based on reported police allegations and should not be treated as a final judicial finding.
Why Is the Case Important for Cricket Fans?
High-profile international cricket matches can attract significant demand for tickets, particularly when India plays at home. Complimentary passes are often distributed for specific purposes, and passes explicitly marked “NOT FOR SALE” are not intended for commercial resale.
Alleged unauthorised sales can create problems for genuine fans and raise questions about the distribution and monitoring of complimentary tickets.
The Hyderabad case has also drawn attention to the need for transparency in ticket allocation and better monitoring of resale activity on social media.
Fans should purchase match tickets only through authorised channels and avoid offers from unverified sellers. A pass advertised online may not necessarily be valid or legitimately available for resale.
India vs West Indies 4th T20I: Match Details
The fourth T20 International between India and the West Indies is scheduled for October 14, 2026, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad.
The ticket-related arrests took place before the match, bringing attention to the alleged resale of complimentary passes.
The incident is separate from the on-field contest between the two teams, but it highlights an important issue surrounding access to major sporting events: tickets and passes must be distributed and used in accordance with the applicable conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why were four people arrested before the India vs West Indies 4th T20I?
Hyderabad Police arrested four people over the alleged black-market sale of complimentary passes for the fourth India-West Indies T20 International.
2. Was an HCA member among those arrested?
Yes. Media reports identified Satish Chandra Srivastava, a Hyderabad Cricket Association member, and his son Akarshit Srivastava among the four accused.
3. How many cricket passes did police reportedly seize?
Police reportedly seized 11 complimentary cricket match passes marked “NOT FOR SALE”.
4. Where did the alleged ticket sale take place?
According to reports, police intercepted two of the accused near SD Mall in the Begum Bazaar area of Hyderabad.
5. When was the India vs West Indies fourth T20I scheduled?
The fourth T20 International was scheduled for October 14, 2026, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad.
6. Should fans buy cricket tickets from unofficial sellers?
Fans should use authorised ticketing platforms and verified sellers. Unofficial offers may involve invalid passes, unauthorised resale or financial fraud.
Conclusion
The arrest of four people, including an HCA member and his son, has brought attention to the alleged black-market sale of complimentary passes ahead of the India vs West Indies fourth T20I in Hyderabad.
Police reportedly seized 11 passes marked “NOT FOR SALE”, along with other items, during the investigation. The case highlights the importance of transparent ticket distribution and caution when buying match passes through social media.
The allegations will be dealt with through the legal process, and the final outcome will depend on the evidence and proceedings.
Disclaimer: This article is based on media reports available at the time of publication. Allegations attributed to the police have not been presented as proven guilt. Details may change as the investigation and legal proceedings progress.
