MUMBAI: The recently formed coalition between Bollywood and Hollywood studios continues to ramp up pressure on movie pirates with major raids conducted across important centres in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
AA Khan & Associates, United Copyright Protection Association (UPCA) and Police conducted raids in Wada, Ahmadabad and multiple raids in Mumbai seizing 25,000 pirates discs and 22 DVD writers worth Rs 2.6 million (Rs 26 lakh) of recent releases like Raajneeti, Prince of Persia, Kites and Housefull amongst others.
In multiple raids that were conducted across Mumbai, close to 6000 pirated discs were seized. AA Khan & Associates conducted a joint raid with a PSI Kolekar from Wada Police Station, outside Mumbai of a pirated movie discs manufacturing plant. A total of 12,956 pirated DVDs of recently released Hindi and English films were seized in the raid. One person (Sushil Kumar) was also arrested in the raid. 22 DVD writers and two processors were seized. The discs in the raid are estimated to be worth Rs 1.4 millon (Rs 14 lakh) and 3,000 pirated DVDs of Raajneeti were recovered.
Under the jurisdiction of B Ward BMC, UPCA conducted a raid at the junction of Yusuf Meherali road and Abdul Rehman Street, Majid bunder, Mumbai. The team along with BMC Officers seized a total of 1500 pirated discs of films. Another raid that was conducted at Malwani Market in Malad West along with Malwani Police Station on a stall vendor pirated movies, a total of 2984 pirated discs were seized. Three people were arrested in the raid estimated to be worth Rs 409,600.
At a raid conducted near Hotel Sarovar outside Kandvali West Railway Station, close to 1400 discs was seized from the stalls estimated to be worth Rs 200,000. Two people were arrested in the raid.
In Gujarat, the UPCA conducted a joint raid with a team from Sirkach Police Station, Ahmedabad on a godown of pirated movie discs. A total of 5265 pirated DVDs were seized in the raid and four people were arrested. The discs in the raid are estimated to be worth Rs 263,550.
Khan said, "Piracy is a serious offence and one which is rampant within major parts of the city. We along with Mumbai Police are dedicated to the cause of arresting the increase of such activities. However, the job of the police is nullified since the common man goes and purchases movies from such pirates. People need to remember that besides denying the creators of the content their fair share, the proceeds from such sales fund several illegal activities including terrorism in India and abroad."
