96/2022-2023
* PIRACY OF POPULAR MIZO MOVIE “KA U LIANA” GONE VIRAL
* ONE (ACCUSED PERSON ARRESTED, WHO IS A REFREE OF DISTRICT BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION (ADBBA), AIZWAL
* MOVIE WAS SCREEN-RECORDED AND DISTRIBUTED ON TELEGRAM MESSENGER APP
* HUGE LOSS OF MORE THAN 10 LAKH CAUSED TO THE PRODUCERS OF THE MOVIE & CEO OF OTT PLATEFORM

INTRODUCTION
After meticulous painstaking investigation and consistent follow up, the team of Cyber Crime Police Station, CID (Crime), has arrested one accused, who was responsible for creating pirated copies of the popular Mizo Movie “Ka U Liana” and distributing on ‘Telegram’ messenger App, which went viral and was subsequently shared by multiple persons online. His name and details are as follows.
Lalremsiama (22),
s/o Lalbiakzuala
Bethlehem, Vengthlang, Aizawl

GIST OF THE COMPLAINT
A complaint was received from Pu Lalremruata, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the online mobile OTT platform “Runmawi” regarding unauthorized distribution of a popular movie “Ka U Liana”, which was recently released on their platform. This local Mizo movie is being well received by the public and has the potential to generate large monetary returns for the investors, particularly the producers of the movie. This crime, however, had resulted in the loss of 10 Lakh or more as the extent of the distribution cannot be quantified.

The complainant has identified the main source of the Telegram user to be “Melvyn YT”.

INVESTIGATION
Identity of the Telegram user was probed and the phone number used to create the telegram account was analysed. Based on data from Truecaller, the number was found and the number belongs to one “Ref Siama ADBBA” which refers to a referee named Siama of Aizawl District Basketball Association (ADBBA). Technical investigation confirmed that owner of the mobile number is indeed Lalremsiama of Bethlehem Vengthlang. Enquiries conducted within ADBBA authorities also confirmed that there is a referee named Lalremsiama residing at Bethlehem, Vengthlang.

The Local Council leaders/Young Mizo Association leaders were contacted and they confirmed the location of the residence of accused based on the name of his parents.

ARREST
Based on information provided by the Local Council leaders/Young Mizo Association leaders, a team of SI Lalmuanpuia Sailo, under the supervision of OC CCPS was formed which apprehended the accused and seized all available digital devices in possession of the accused. The team successfully apprehended the accused& brought him to the Cyber Crime Police Station along with the mobile phone which was used in committing the crime.

INTERROGATION & DISCLOSURE
On sustained interrogation, the accused admitted that he had purchased the movie “Ka U Liana” through Runmawi mobile app legally. Since the movie can only be viewed for a period of 3 days from the time of purchase, he shared his account details with his friends so that they can watch the movie using his account. However, as more and more friends requested him to share his account details, and as the 3 day period was drawing to an end, he decided to record the movie so that he may share it with his friends, possibly with intent to gain monetary benefit.

In this regard, he searched on Youtube and other websites on how to screen record the movie so that he may pirate the movie for sharing with his friends. After successfully finding a way, he screen recorded the movie and then shared it on Telegram went viral.

The accused was arrested vide FIR No 64/ 22 u/s 63 of Copy Right Act & Sec. 72 of IT Act PS CCPS. Further investigation is going on to identify other persons, if any, involved in spreading this movie online.
In this regard, it is cautioned to the public at large that piracy of movies and distribution of such pirated content is a punishable criminal offence under various sections of the laws in IPC, IT Act, Copyright Act & Cinematograph Act, etc.