Report: METALLICA - Concert Organisers Arrested Following Cancellation Of Delhi Show
October 29, 2011, 12 years ago
As previously reported, METALLICA's Gurgaon show, scheduled for October 28th was postponed, with the organisers are claiming that a ‘technical snag’ as the cause behind the reschedule. It has been suggested that the real reason probably has something to do with the fact that the surge of people caused the barricades to collapse.
According to an updated report from NDTV.com, four people, including a senior executive of the event management company that has organised the Metallica concerts in India, have been arrested after the show was cancelled.
![](http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee242/KnuckledusterBW/Metallicagroup.jpg)
The Gurgaon police said the operational head of DNA Entertainment Network for Metallica concerts, Rajesh Chandwani, was among the four people arrested on charges of cheating people and breach of trust. The other three were his team members - Umesh, Ashok Singh and Savio Faleio. The police said they had received several complaints after the show was cancelled. They allege that the organisers sold more tickets than capacity and that they were never informed before the cancellation was announced. The organisers had cited "technical reasons" for scrapping Friday's gig.
Over 25,000 people had gathered at the Leisure Valley Park in Gurgaon's Sector 29 to watch the concert. Less than two hours before the heavy metal band was to play, the organisers postponed the concert to 4 pm on Saturday. Then, after some angry fans trashed equipment, came reports that the Delhi gig had been cancelled altogether.
In a statement released on their site, Metallica cited fans' safety as the reason for the postponement of the Friday's show and permit issues for its subsequent cancellation. "Once we, along with DNA, the promoters of the show, determined that there was a failure of a security barricade in front of the stage that could not be adequately repaired, the promoter reluctantly announced the postponement of the show until Saturday. Unfortunately, on such short notice the promoters were unable to secure a permit for a show on Saturday. Therefore, DNA announced that we would not be able to play in Delhi," the statement read.
The organisers have said all ticket holders will be refunded. They say full-page advertisements on refunds will be put out in the next 24 hours explaining all the details.
At the venue on Friday, fans received the news with anger, partly because the announcement made also said that at that time, the band was addressing a press conference at their hotel. (Buzz on Twitter)
Crowds started lining up at about 3 on Friday afternoon - a video on YouTube showed fans running in when the gates opened. (Watch)
During the next three hours, several announcements were made requesting people to move back because the barrier in front of the stage was giving way. The crowd got increasingly more restive with every such announcement, objecting and booing.
Read more here.
Metallica, meanwhile, have issued the following statement regarding their postponed Delhi, India show:
"We arrived in Delhi on Friday very excited and ready to play our first show ever in India at the F1 Rocks concert. However, immediately at the end of our afternoon press conference at a hotel near the venue, we were notified that there was a serious question as to whether the show could proceed with regard to the safety of the concert audience. And our first and foremost concern is always for the safety of you, the fans.Once we, along with DNA, the promoters of the show, determined that there was a failure of a security barricade in front of the stage that could not be adequately repaired, the promoter reluctantly announced the postponement of the show until Saturday. Unfortunately, on such short notice the promoters were unable to secure a permit for a show on Saturday. Therefore, DNA announced that we would not be able to play in Delhi. Within the next 24 hours a notification will be issued by DNA regarding the process for full refunds.
We are deeply disappointed with this news as we were looking forward to our first experience in India as much as you guys were. Keep watching for updates here as additional details are determined and confirmed."
According to Dev Bhatia, who was at the venue at the time, things started heating up with a stampede at around 3:30 in the afternoon. The stampede caused the barricades to collapse, with several fans getting hurt in the process. As the crowd entering the venue continued to grow, the barricades in front of the stage also collapsed. At around 6 PM, the organisers announced that due to “serious technical difficulties”, the show was postponed and Metallica would play at 4 PM tomorrow.
The announcement further fueled the crowd’s frustration, causing fans to go on a rampage. Several fans gained access to the stage area, setting fire to banners and causing damage to the LED screens, monitors and other equipment.
Read more at RollingStoneIndia.com. Check out video footage below: