FIR filed against Haryana cable operator over alleged broadcast piracy

New Delhi: The Haryana Police have registered an FIR against a cable operator in Sonipat over allegations of illegally retransmitting televisin channels without authorisation, leading to raids, seizure of transmission equipment and the detention of two individuals. The FIR, registered on July 6, 2026, names M/S Jai Durga Digital Network (JDDN), based in Ganaur, Sonipat, under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Copyright Act, 1957, following a complaint by broadcaster JioStar. According to the complaint, the cable operator allegedly infringed copyright and broadcast reproduction rights by unauthorised retransmission of television channels through its cable network after its licensing arrangement had ended. Following the registration of the FIR, Haryana Police conducted a raid at JDDN's control room and operational premises in Bajana Kalan, Ganaur. During the operation, officials seized optical transmission equipment allegedly used to retransmit television signals without authorisation. The cable operator and a technician associated with the network were detained for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation. As per the FIR, JDDN was previously an authorised licensee whose access to the broadcaster's signals was deactivated in September 2025. Despite this, the operator allegedly continued to make the channels available by sourcing feeds through consumer Direct-to-Home (DTH) set-top boxes and commercially redistributing them over its cable network. The FIR alleges that the unauthorised retransmission included several entertainment and sports channels, including Star Bharat, Star Utsav, Star Gold Select, Star Gold, Colors Cineplex, Colors Rishtey, Star Sports 2 and Star Sports 3. Investigators also relied on electronic evidence that allegedly showed broadcaster fingerprints, DTH fingerprints and JDDN's local network branding appearing simultaneously on the retransmitted channels. According to the FIR, this established unauthorised retransmission of the broadcaster's signals. The FIR further alleges that the illegal transmission caused revenue losses to both the broadcaster and the government exchequer. The case remains under investigation and forms part of ongoing enforcement efforts by law enforcement agencies and broadcasters to curb organised cable piracy and unauthorised redistribution of television content.