On the evening of 12 October 2026, Hyderabad police received a tip‑off about illegal ticket sales near SD Mall in Begum Bazar. Acting on that information, Assistant Sub‑Inspector V Janardhan Naik and Constable G Sai Kumar began a patrol around 9 pm. Their presence in the area was a direct response to the tip, and it set the stage for the first encounters that would later expand into a wider investigation.
During the patrol, the officers apprehended two individuals: Avinash Darak, aged 24, and Mohit Somani, aged 30. Both were stopped in the vicinity of SD Mall and questioned about their activities. According to the police account, Darak and Somani disclosed that they had obtained the tickets in question from a third party, later identified as Akarshit Srivastava. This admission gave investigators a concrete lead to follow.
Further inquiry revealed that Akarshit Srivastava had allegedly received the tickets from his father, Satish Chandra Srivastava. The elder Srivastava is described in the reports as a member of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) and as being affiliated with the Uppal Cricket Stadium, a venue associated with the HCA. The connection to the HCA is significant because it explains how complimentary tickets—intended for officials, players, or invited guests—could have entered the hands of private individuals.
Officers confiscated 11 match passes that were explicitly marked ‘NOT FOR SALE’, indicating they were complimentary tickets not authorized for resale.
Akarshit is said to have passed the tickets to Darak, who then enlisted the help of Somani to promote them. The two used online platforms to advertise the tickets, aiming to sell them at prices far above their nominal value. This step marks the transition from possession to active distribution, a key element in the alleged black‑marketing operation.
The police operation that followed the initial arrests resulted in the seizure of several items. Officers confiscated 11 match passes that were explicitly marked ‘NOT FOR SALE’, indicating they were complimentary tickets not authorized for resale. In addition, eight Navratri event passes were taken, suggesting the suspects may have been dealing in multiple types of event tickets. The seizure also included Rs 5,000 in cash, four mobile phones, and a two‑wheeler. These items were presented as evidence of the alleged commercial activity.
The Hyderabad Police arrested four persons for allegedly black-marketing complimentary tickets for the upcoming India West Indies fourth T20 International cricket match scheduled for October 14, selling them at exorbitant prices through social media platforms. https://t.co/rWBUOoOmuE
Based on the evidence gathered, the authorities registered a case against the four individuals under specific legal provisions. The charges were filed under Sections 112(1) and 318(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertain to offenses related to cheating and fraudulent conduct. Additionally, Section 21(gg) of the City Police Act was invoked, a provision that deals with violations of police regulations concerning public order and trade. All four accused—Avinash Darak, Mohit Somani, Akarshit Srivastava, and Satish Chandra Srivastava—were arrested on 13 October 2026 and subsequently remanded to judicial custody.
The case remains under judicial process, with the accused awaiting further proceedings. The tickets in question were linked to the fourth T20 International match between India and the West Indies, scheduled for 14 October 2026 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. All four accused were remanded to judicial custody.