[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-mTy2KLtsw[/youtube]
As you may recall, things turned ugly following the postponement of Metallica’s show in Gurgaon (a suburb of Delhi) this past Friday. The concert, which was supposed to be the band’s first show ever in India, was postponed (then later canceled) after the barricades were at risk following a surge of over 20,000 fans entered the venue. The announcement led to a full on riot, which led to several injuries and damaged equipment. However, instead of blaming the crowd in attendance for the chaos, police have actually arrested four of the festival’s organizers following the show’s cancelation.
The four, including Rajesh Chandwani (operational head of DNA Entertainment Network ) Umesh, Ashok Singh and Savio Faleio, were reportedly arrested for cheating people and a breach of trust. Police claim that the organizers oversold the Gurgaon show’s capacity of 25,000 and that they did not give authorities advance notice about the cancelation. According to The Times Of India, Jt Commissioner of Police, Gurgaon, Alok Mittal said the following regarding the arrests:
“The concert now stands cancelled. Rajesh Chandwani, Umesh, Ashok Singh and Savio Faleio of DNA Entertainment Network, have been arrested for breach of trust and cheating. Proper investigation will ensue to determine the reason behind this fiasco, till that time the arrested four will remain in police custody. The organizers have now been blacklisted from organising such events in Gurgaon in future”
Gurgaon Police Commissioner SS Deswal added that the fans can’t be fully blamed for their behavior following the announcement, saying the following:
“Yes, they broke the barricades, but that was because they were angry. They all had paid money, come from far off places, were standing there for hours and suddenly they were told to leave. I don’t blame them. Fortunately, the crowd dispersed peacefully, after that announcement and there were no casualties.”
Video of an Indian news report showing the arrest of the four organizers can be seen above. Fortunately, Metallica’s show in Bangalore Sunday night (October 30) went on without any problems. You can watch a news reports and highlights from the show after the jump. But for now, Free the New Dehli Four!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zjT29azEKM[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNVbeg9CgE4[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tkkZ_jAI9g[/youtube]
