JioStar piracy complaints trigger raids in Odisha; one arrested, equipment seized

A coordinated anti-piracy enforcement drive by JioStar and the Odisha Police has resulted in two criminal cases being registered against local cable operators in Puri district for allegedly illegally retransmitting the broadcaster's pay television channels. The operation culminated in raids on two cable headends, the seizure of broadcasting equipment, the arrest of one accused and the shutdown of the alleged unauthorized transmission network.

The cases were registered at Brahmagiri Police Station on July 30 after complaints supported by electronic evidence were submitted by representatives acting on behalf of JioStar India Pvt. Ltd. Both FIRs invoke Section 303 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, relating to theft, along with Section 63 of the Copyright Act, 1957, which pertains to copyright infringement.

Electronic evidence led to police action

According to the complaints, investigators gathered electronic evidence showing that the two operators were allegedly retransmitting JioStar's encrypted television channels without authorisation. The evidence, which included video recordings captured on July 22, 2026, was submitted to the police along with a pen drive. 

The complaints allege that the operators were using consumer Direct-to-Home (DTH) set-top boxes to obtain television signals before redistributing them over analogue cable networks, a practice JioStar contends violates its broadcast reproduction rights and copyright while also constituting theft of broadcast signals.

The complaints further state that analogue retransmission of television signals is prohibited following the implementation of nationwide cable TV digitisation, and allege that such illegal distribution causes revenue losses both to broadcasters and the government.

The complaints were first filed before the Additional Superintendent of Police, Puri, on July 28. They were subsequently marked to the Inspector-in-Charge of Brahmagiri Police Station. Following discussions with the police regarding the evidence and the need for enforcement action, FIRs were registered on July 30.

Gambhari cable operator arrested

The first case, registered names cable operator Hemant Jena, who allegedly operated a cable distribution network in Gambhari village near Chilika Lake in Brahmagiri tehsil. According to the enforcement report, police raided the operator's headend on the night of July 30 and recovered eight LNBs, two set-top boxes, one optical transmitter, one optical node and three modulators allegedly being used for unauthorized retransmission. 

Hemant Jena was arrested during the operation, following which the unauthorized retransmission of JioStar channels ceased completely, according to the complainant.

The complaint alleges that Jena was distributing JioStar channels to subscribers in Gambhari, Tua and nearby villages without obtaining a valid distribution licence from the broadcaster. It further claims that the television feeds were sourced through consumer DTH equipment and redistributed through an analogue cable network.

Sukhimani Communications proprietor absconding

The second case, registered against Narayan Mangraj, proprietor of M/s Sukhimani Communications, allegedly operated from Rebana Nuagaon in Brahmagiri tehsil. Acting on the FIR, police raided the cable headend and seized nine Sun Direct set-top boxes, one 850 MHz hybrid amplifier, one Catvision optical transmitter and six modulators. 

According to the enforcement report, Mangraj was not present during the raid and is currently absconding. The complainant has stated that the unauthorized retransmission of JioStar channels stopped after the enforcement action.

The complaint alleges that Sukhimani Communications was retransmitting JioStar's pay television channels to subscribers in Rebana Nuagaon and nearby villages without authorisation. It further claims that investigators recorded the illegal transmission on Local Channel Number 12 using Sun Direct equipment, with the feeds allegedly being distributed over an analogue cable network.

Broadcaster alleges copyright and broadcast rights violations

In both complaints, JioStar states that it licenses the retransmission of its television channels only through authorised Multi-System Operators (MSOs), Local Cable Operators (LCOs), IPTV platforms, HITS operators and DTH providers. 

The broadcaster argues that the alleged unauthorised retransmission infringes its copyright and broadcast reproduction rights under the Copyright Act while also amounting to theft under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The complaints also cite judicial precedents recognising television broadcast signals as movable property.

Police investigations in both cases are ongoing. While Hemant Jena has been arrested, Narayan Mangraj remains absconding, according to the enforcement report. The complainant also claims that the alleged unauthorized retransmission of JioStar channels has ceased following the police raids in both cases.