₹700 Crore Piracy Syndicate Busted Following JioStar Complaint
Chennai, 19th May 2025 – In a decisive move to curb digital piracy, JioStar has played a pivotal role in exposing a ₹700 crore illegal IPTV network. Based on a criminal complaint filed by the company, the Cyber Crime Police Station in Gandhinagar, Gujarat launched a targeted operation against BOS IPTV — a rogue service streaming banned and unauthorised content, including premium programming from JioHotstar and restricted foreign channels.
Pirated Content Offered at Throwaway Prices
BOS IPTV was found to be offering pirated access to Star India’s pay TV content and banned Pakistani channels for just ₹400 per three-month subscription. This illegal operation not only undermined legitimate broadcasters but also posed a serious threat to national broadcasting security.
Exploitation of Consumer Set-Top Boxes Uncovered
Investigations revealed that BOS IPTV sourced its content through hacked or manipulated set-top boxes (STBs) originally distributed by authorised DTH providers. This alarming breach could have broader implications on content security and consumer data privacy.
FIR Registered Under Multiple Acts
Following JioStar’s complaint, FIR No. 11201018250 was registered on 14 May 2025 under multiple statutes, including:
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Sections 303, 318(4), and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023
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Sections 37, 51, 63, and 65A of the Indian Copyright Act, 1957
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Sections 65, 66, 66B, and 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000
Arrests and Seizures in Punjab
Law enforcement authorities arrested a key suspect in Jalandhar, Punjab. During the raid, three laptops and two mobile phones were seized—allegedly used to manage the illegal IPTV service.
Wider Network Under Investigation
Authorities suspect the existence of a broader piracy syndicate with possible international ties. The operation is believed to be part of a larger network distributing banned foreign channels across India.
JioStar Issues Stern Warning to Pirates
“This crackdown is a critical milestone in our ongoing fight against piracy,” a JioStar spokesperson stated. “We applaud the swift action by the Cyber Police in Gandhinagar and other law enforcement agencies. JioStar remains committed to protecting its content, partners, and millions of lawful subscribers.”
Commitment to Zero-Tolerance Policy on Piracy
JioStar has reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on piracy and pledged continued cooperation with authorities to dismantle illegal content distribution networks throughout India.
