The Cyber crime police in Hyderabad have arrested six members for threatening producers of the epic movie, Baahubali 2, of circulating a pirated copy of the blockbuster hit.  

The gang reportedly demanded Rs 15 lakh from Bollywood director Karan Johar and other producers of the film. On April 29, a complaint was lodged with the Hyderabad police by one of the producers, Prasad Devineni. According to the police, Devineni received a call from one Rahul Mehta, claiming to be a representative of an “anti-piracy agency” who informed that a pirated High-Definition (HD) print of the film was in his possession.

DCP Avinash Mohanty said, “He even showed them a sample video to prove his claim and tried to extort money saying that the release of pirated copy would be withheld for a few days.”

“The hi-tech gang operated film piracy syndicate in a much organized manner. Divaker, is the owner of Veena Cinema theatre in Bibusarai district of Bihar. He copied the digital HD copy of the movie and created a pirated version of the same to illegally upload it on the internet and make easy money,” added the DCP. The police have seized mobile, laptops, hard disks, tabs, HDMI video capture, HDMI to RCA converter, along with other accessories.

The police launched an investigation and on a tip-off, the kingpin Rahul was arrested from Jubilee Hills on May 11.
During interrogation it was revealed that the same gang also indulged in piracy of Baahubali part one.

The accused are identified as Rahul Mehta (26), Jitender Kumar Mehta (37), Taufiq, (27), Mohammed Ali (39), Divakar Kumar and Chandan. Monu, their associate is on a running spree and a man hunt has been launched to nab him.

All the accused hail from Delhi while Divakar hails from Bihar and Chandan is a native of Patna.

SUPRAJA