In a significant crackdown on digital piracy, the Gujarat Police, acting on a complaint filed by Star India, have busted a massive ₹700 crore (US $84 million) illicit Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) racket. The operation led to the arrest of the alleged kingpin, Mohammed Murtuza Ali, a Jalandhar-based app developer accused of illegally streaming thousands of premium television channels, including several Pakistani news networks and entertainment serials, without authorization.
The illicit IPTV service, operating under the brand name “BOS IPTV,” had reportedly amassed around five million subscribers. Cybercrime investigators in Gandhinagar traced the illegal streams back to Ali, leading to his swift arrest in Jalandhar, Punjab. Police have stated that the service had been active since 2020.
Chaitanya Mandlik, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Gandhinagar Range, told Storyboard18, “We traced the suspect’s IP addresses and executed a swift arrest in Jalandhar. We are now probing whether he had links to a wider international piracy ring.” Notably, this is not the first instance of Gujarat authorities targeting BOSS IPTV, with a similar case being lodged against the platform in 2021. However, the service resurfaced, seemingly expanding its reach and revenues.
The entertainment industry has long grappled with IPTV piracy, which significantly impacts broadcaster revenues and undermines content creators. Earlier this year, Disney-owned Star India collaborated with law enforcement agencies in the United Arab Emirates to seize boxes capable of delivering 12,000 pirated channels, an operation believed to be connected to the same network.
The Gandhinagar Cyber Police are currently analyzing seized servers, bank records, and subscriber databases to fully understand the extent of the operation. Further arrests are possible, and investigators suggest that cross-border cooperation may be necessary if evidence of an international syndicate emerges. If convicted under India’s Information Technology Act and the Copyright Act, the accused could face substantial fines and imprisonment. Broadcasters are urging consumers to avoid unauthorized streaming services, cautioning that “cheap” subscriptions often carry malware risks and lack customer protection.
Key Highlights:
- Gujarat Police, acting on a complaint from Star India, busted a ₹700 crore IPTV racket.
- The illicit service, “BOS IPTV,” allegedly streamed premium channels, including Pakistani ones, to around 5 million subscribers.
- An app developer from Jalandhar has been arrested as the alleged kingpin.
- Authorities are investigating potential links to a wider international piracy network.