THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In an unprecedented move, the Anti-piracy Cell of the State police have made an inventory of websites that offer pirated versions of new films. The inventory of the sites which carry new releases in Malayalam was done by Thiruvananthapuram Taluk Additional Tahsildar T Jacob. The move was launched after Anti-piracy Cell SP Rajpal Meena handed over a request letter to the District Collector seeking the service of the Additional Tahsildar, who holds executive power.
Speaking to Express, Anti-piracy Cell DySP S Rafeek said that the websites, Desi Torrent, Malluvision and Movie Jockey, were being closely monitored by the Department.
”After we intensified action against online piracy, several sites went inactive. Most of them removed the contents and our investigation could not make much inroads. But when we intensified our internet patrolling, it was found that three sites were still functional and were providing downloading options of new releases for the users. We have collected technical details and have also made an inventory of the contents with the help of the Tahsildar,” he said.
Additional Tahsildar T Jacob, when contacted, confirmed that the inventory was made and the report submitted to the Department. ”I can’t recollect how many films were there in the sites. But they were all Malayalam films,” he said.
The move of the Anti-piracy Cell holds significance as the investigation has been partially paralysed with the arrest of a couple of people. ”They got wind of the intention of the cell and are absconding. So, the move is expected to break the deadlock,” the DySP said.
Meanwhile, the higher officials in the Department are concerned over the delay in obtaining the IP addresses of those engaged in piracy. It was against this backdrop that the cell ventured into conducting an inventory which could prove vital in court during trial.