JioStar files FIR against alleged IPTV piracy network in Chhattisgarh

JioStar India has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against an alleged IPTV piracy network operating in Chhattisgarh, accusing it of illegally retransmitting the company’s television channels and OTT content through unauthorised internet-based distribution systems.

An FIR (a copy of which is with e4m) has been registered at Baikunthpur Police Station against Rajeev Panjiyara and Citynet Infra Pvt Ltd under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Copyright Act and the Information Technology Act.

The complaint, filed on behalf of JioStar India, alleges that copyrighted television channels and content available on the company’s OTT platform JioHotstar were being unlawfully redistributed through IPTV infrastructure without authorisation.

According to the FIR registered on May 30, 2026, the alleged offences fall under Sections 303 and 314 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Sections 63 and 65 of the Copyright Act, 1957, and Section 66 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Investigation points to unauthorised IPTV distribution
The complaint states that JioStar India, which owns and operates multiple television channels and the JioHotstar streaming platform, holds exclusive copyright and broadcasting rights over its content. The company alleged that these rights were being infringed through unauthorised IPTV-based retransmission and public communication of its channels and OTT content.

As part of an investigation carried out on May 24, 2026, company representatives allegedly identified a network linked to Citynet Infra Pvt Ltd in Ward No. 7, School Para, Baikunthpur, Chhattisgarh. The FIR claims that while the operator may possess authorisation for cable television distribution through conventional CATV networks, it does not have any licence or approval to distribute content through IPTV systems, OTT rebroadcasting, internet protocol-based streaming or similar digital delivery mechanisms.

The complaint further alleges that electronic evidence gathered during the investigation showed copyrighted JioStar content being retransmitted through IPTV channels without permission.

Amazon Fire TV device seized as evidence
According to the FIR, investigators documented and recorded the alleged streaming activity using a device identified as the “City Digital” Fire Stick. The device was connected to an Amazon Fire TV interface and was allegedly used to access multiple IPTV channel categories through which copyrighted content was being made available.

The investigation reportedly identified unauthorised retransmission of several channels across entertainment, movies, sports and children’s programming categories.

Among the entertainment channels allegedly found on the IPTV platform were Star Plus, Star Bharat, Star Utsav, Colors and Colors Rishtey. Movie channels included Star Gold, Star Gold 2, Star Gold Thrills and Star Gold Select. Sports channels allegedly available included Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2, Star Sports 1 Hindi and Star Sports Select 2. Children’s channels reportedly accessible through the service included Disney Channel, Super Hungama, Hungama TV and Disney Junior.

Investigators also claimed to have identified local channels CCN Aradhya 13 and CCN Aradhya being distributed through the same IPTV environment.

JioStar alleges large-scale copyright infringement
The complaint argues that copyrighted content from JioHotstar was streamed around the clock without valid authorisation from the rights holder. It further alleges that the operator lacked any approval to receive, retransmit, stream, publicly communicate or commercially exploit JioStar channels or content available through JioHotstar.

The company contends that the alleged activities amount to commercial exploitation of copyrighted works and unauthorised use of intellectual property owned by the broadcaster and streaming platform.

JioStar also argued that unauthorised downloading, storage, distribution, retransmission and public communication of copyrighted content through digital networks constitute offences under both copyright and information technology laws.

Broader anti-piracy crackdown
The FIR is part of a wider industry effort by broadcasters and OTT platforms to combat IPTV-based piracy, which has emerged as one of the fastest-growing forms of content theft in India. IPTV piracy networks typically aggregate premium television channels and streaming content and distribute them through internet-based applications and set-top devices at significantly lower prices.

The complaint notes that such activities result in substantial financial and reputational losses for content owners and broadcasters by undermining legitimate subscription revenues and authorised distribution networks.

Police have registered the case and initiated an investigation. The FIR records that electronic evidence, video recordings, timestamps, forensic fingerprints and other technical materials have been collected and submitted to support the allegations.

The company has also submitted corporate records, including documents relating to the transition from Star India Pvt Ltd to JioStar India, as part of the complaint.

Authorities will now examine the evidence and determine whether charges can be sustained against the accused parties under criminal copyright, technology and property-related provisions. PitchonNet