New Delhi: In a significant victory against online piracy, Mumbai police have successfully dismantled a Telegram group that was illegally streaming content from major broadcasters like Disney Star, Viacom18, Sony, and Zee. The operator of the group, Balaji Asaram Jaybhaye, has been arrested following a complaint filed by Disney Star.
BJ Tech Knowledge, the Telegram group in question, had amassed a user base of 5000 members who were paying Rs 300 each to access pirated content from popular streaming platforms. The group operated by providing users with URLs that allowed them to stream copyrighted content through a network stream player app.
Disney Star filed a criminal complaint against BJ Tech Knowledge on April 27, 2024, leading to a thorough investigation by Mumbai police. On August 11, police conducted a raid on Jaybhaye’s residence, resulting in his arrest and the seizure of his electronic devices.
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The illegal streaming operation was facilitated through the Telegram group, where users were provided with shared URLs to access pirated content. To stream the content, users had to download a specific network stream player app from the Google Play Store or iOS.
The arrest of Jaybhaye and the closure of the Telegram group mark a significant blow to online piracy in India. This illegal activity has been a major concern for the Indian media and entertainment industry, which has lost over $3 billion in recent years due to piracy of movies, TV shows, and sports, according to Ampere Analysis.
This incident highlights the importance of stringent measures to combat online piracy and protect the intellectual property rights of content creators. Law enforcement agencies are actively working to identify and dismantle such illegal operations, while broadcasters and streaming platforms are implementing technological solutions and legal actions to safeguard their content.
