Hyderabad: How an AC mechanic earned over Rs 40 lakh in cryptocurrency by watching 40 films in 1.5 years
Hyderabad
was arrested for allegedly running a high-tech movie piracy racket that leaked over 40 films. The accused, Jana Kiran Kumar, was caught during a joint operation by the Telangana Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) anti-piracy cell and the cybercrime police. He was reportedly caught while recording inside a theatre, marking the first such case in the city.
Secret operation behind movie leaks
Kiran, a resident of Vanasthalipuram, worked as an AC technician during the day and operated the piracy racket by night. Over 18 months, he is said to have earned more than Rs 40 lakh in cryptocurrency by recording and leaking newly released films.
Targeted low-crowd cinemas using booking data
During questioning, Kiran admitted to choosing theatres based on the occupancy data available on the BookMyShow app. 'The emptier the theatre, the better my chances of going unnoticed,' he reportedly told police. This allowed him to carry out the recordings without drawing attention.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
The Top 20 Most Expensive Cars
LuxYouDesire.com
Undo
Officials said Kiran recorded films from multiple cinema halls across Hyderabad. In total, he leaked at least 40 movies. His arrest is being seen as a significant breakthrough in tackling movie piracy in the region.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
10 minutes ago
- Indian Express
ED attaches actor Ranya Rao's assets in gold smuggling case: What to know
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached assets worth over Rs 34 crore linked to Kannada actor Ranya Rao in a gold smuggling-related money laundering case. On Friday (July 4), the central agency said that false customs declarations were filed in Dubai — where Rao had a travel history — declaring the destination of gold shipments as Switzerland or the US, but in fact, it was for India. 'The attachments have been made in terms of Section 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act as property equivalent in value to the untraced proceeds of crime identified during the course of investigation,' the ED said. On March 3, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested Rao at the Bengaluru airport on her arrival from Dubai and recovered 14.2 kg of gold bars valued at more than Rs 12.56 crore from her possession. On March 9, the DRI arrested Telugu actor Tarun Konduru, Rao's accomplice. The ED said, 'Ranya Rao, in active collusion with Tarun Konduru Raju and others, orchestrated a well-structured operation for smuggling gold into India. Gold was procured from suppliers based in Dubai, Uganda, and other jurisdictions, and payments were made through hawala channels in cash, thereby circumventing legal financial systems.' The probe revealed that the smuggled gold was then sold in India to jewellers and other local entities, and the proceeds were laundered through hawala remittances abroad to finance repeat smuggling consignments. Here is what to know. In early March, DRI officials called it 'one of the biggest seizures of gold at Bengaluru airport in recent times.' The DRI was investigating whether the incident was an isolated incident or a part of a series of gold-smuggling trips, noting that Rao, 33, travelled to Dubai 27 times over the previous six months. The case also raised questions on possible police involvement, as local officers would escort Rao home from the airport after she returned from her frequent trips to Dubai. Rao is also the stepdaughter of the senior Karnataka IPS officer K Ramachandra Rao. She is alleged to have used airport protocol services available to her father to escape customs checks and detection at the Bengaluru airport on arrival from Dubai. Earlier this month, the Income Tax (I-T) department said it would investigate Rao's wealth. Until its repeal in 1990, the Gold (Control) Act, 1968, curbed gold imports and heavily restricted the acquisition, possession, and disposal of gold in India. However, with economic liberalisation in the 1990s, the government modified its approach, imposing an import duty on gold at the rate of Rs 250 for every 10 grams, leading to a boom in gold imports in the following years. Gold imports are largely governed by the Customs Act, 1962, and by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). The customs duty for gold may differ depending on the amount of gold carried by a passenger and the duration spent abroad before travelling back to India, as per the Baggage Rules, 2016 (issued under the Customs Act). Under these rules, a man residing abroad for over a year may carry up to 20 grams of jewellery duty-free (with a value cap of Rs 50,000), and a woman may similarly carry up to 40 grams (with a cap of Rs 1 lakh). The CBIC also has specific guidelines for Indian passengers returning from Dubai after residing there for over six months, allowing them to carry up to 1 kg of gold as long as the applicable customs duty is paid. The customs duty for gold is: 3% customs duty: for men carrying 20-50 grams of gold and women carrying 40-100 grams; 6% customs duty: for men carrying 50-100 grams and women carrying 100-200 grams; 10% customs duty: For men carrying over 100 grams and women carrying over 200 grams. In 2003, the Supreme Court held that any article imported without complying with the relevant conditions or restrictions must be considered a 'prohibited good'. Such goods are liable to be confiscated under Section 111 and punished under Section 112 of the Customs Act. The punishment may include a fine of up to the value of the goods. Section 135 provides a punishment of up to 7 years imprisonment if the market price of the smuggled goods exceeds Rs. 1 lakh. Smuggling is also punishable under Section 111 (Organised Crime) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which punishes 'trafficking in…illicit goods' with imprisonment of at least five years, extendable to life imprisonment. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) also carries the same punishment for smuggling as a 'terrorist act' under Section 15 if it causes 'damage to the monetary stability of India'. This is an updated version of an explainer published earlier this year.
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
High alert in UP as Muharram and Kanwar Yatra coincide; authorities deploy drones, CCTV and extra forces; all you need to know
NEW DELHI: The Uttar Pradesh administration has strengthened security arrangements across several districts including Lucknow, Sambhal, and Moradabad to ensure peace and avoid any disruption, as Muharram processions and the Kanwar Yatra are being held at the same time. Large crowds gathered for Muharram processions across different regions, while preparations for the Kanwar Yatra are also underway. Police personnel have been deployed in all sensitive areas, and surveillance is being carried out using drones and CCTV cameras. In Sambhal District Magistrate Dr Rajender Pensiya while speaking to ANI, 'We have held various peace committee meetings at the village, neighbourhood, and district levels. In these discussions, people from all sides were invited. All communities were called, and their issues related to electricity, water, and other problems were addressed. Clear instructions have been given to inform us if any issues arise.' He further added, 'We have appointed magistrates at every location, accompanied by police officers. Any procession, whether for Kanwar Yatra or Muharram, will be conducted in a box format, with our officers stationed on all four sides. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sharp Design, Smoother Drives. Toyota Glanza Learn More Undo Continuous monitoring is also being carried out through drones. Currently, we have over 13,000 CCTV cameras integrated. All necessary arrangements are in place, and action is underway to ban more than 900 persons. Section 163 is in effect. We are confident that everything will be conducted peacefully.' In Lucknow The police have taken additional precautions, especially in the western part of the city, known as Old Lucknow, which is considered particularly sensitive during Muharram. DCP Lucknow West Vishwajeet Srivastava while speaking to ANI, 'During Muharram, Lucknow's western zone, also called Old Lucknow, remains highly sensitive. There is always a zonal sector system 24/7 here. Separate arrangements are made for the processions held in this area.' He explained the multi-layered security setup: 'The first moves with the procession in a box formation, the second handles route arrangements, and the third is stationed at key locations of the procession. CCTV cameras have been installed at 82 locations. Volunteers from the Civil Defence Organisation are also present. Three types of drones have been deployed. Our social media team is fully active, and we are in constant communication with religious leaders. ' In Moradabad District Magistrate Anuj Kumar Singh said police were remaining vigilant and making thorough arrangements to ensure peaceful observance of both events. 'A Peace Committee meeting was held with the people, instructing them on Taziya's height and children's participation,' he said. Speaking about preparations for the Kanwar Yatra, he added, 'We are preparing for the Kanwar route. The road situation is good this time. We inspected it yesterday, and PWD and municipal bodies are working to resolve the remaining issues.' He also stated, 'Cameras are being installed on the Kanwar Yatra route... Additionally, we have identified individuals who played negative roles during past events, and efforts are underway to ban them to maintain peace... DJs are also instructed to control their volume.' Authorities across these districts are working closely with community leaders and local organisations to maintain harmony, with real-time surveillance and preventive action at the centre of the state's security strategy.
India Today
17 minutes ago
- India Today
One dead, four injured in firecracker unit blast in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar
A worker was killed and four others sustained injuries in a blast reported in a fireworks unit located in Keela Thayilpatti village in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu on and rescue teams were rushed to the spot and took the injured to the Sivakasi Government Hospital for the blast, thick white fumes up to over 50 feet in height were visible in the region. The authorities were involved in the process of dousing the Search operations are underway. Further updates about the incident are in a separate incident, an explosion at a pharmaceutical factory in Pashamylaram, located in Telangana's Sangareddy district, claimed the lives of nine workers on June nine victims hailed from Odisha, with three from Ganjam, two each from Cuttack and Nabarangpur, and one each from Balasore and Jajpur districts. In total, 14 individuals from Odisha were affected by the tragic response to the tragedy, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased. The financial aid will be disbursed from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF), according to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
