In an attempt to keep tabs on the spectators and track the culprits down in case of any crime during the Indian Premier League (IPL), Bengaluru City Police and DNA networks have come up with an innovative idea. The IPL organisers have now made it mandatory for the fans to carry their Aadhaar cards while buying match tickets for the game which will be played in Bengaluru. The Aadhaar card is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Indian government to every resident of India.

As per the reports in Bangalore Mirror, both parties- DNA networks and the city police-have received the green light from Home Minister G Parameshwara on the idea at a recent meeting. The Aadhaar officials have also agreed to support the cause by supplying equipment such as fingerprint scanners.

The organisers wanted to implement the idea in the last match of the ongoing three-match T20I series between India and England to be played on February 1 but had to drop the idea since the ticket are already on sale. The lack of equipment for the time being is another reason behind the organisers’ decision to back down.

As quoted in the outlet, a senior police officer said:

“While buying match tickets at the counter, a copy of Aadhaar card will have to be produced. The buyer’s card number and fingerprint impression will be fed into the system and cross-checked for authenticity. Those who bought tickets online by giving their Aadhaar numbers will have to verify their identity through fingerprint impression at the time of ticket collection.”

Home Minister G Parameshwara, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Praveen Sood, representatives from DNA Networks, and Karnataka State Cricket Association had attended the meeting where the new idea was discussed. The administrators are reportedly impressed by the idea and it can be implemented in the upcoming season of the IPL.