Mumbai: In a continued enforcement action against digital piracy, law enforcement authorities have arrested an operator linked to an illegal streaming network operating through an application identified as “Levyn”, following a First Information Report registered earlier this year.
As per FIR No. 09/2026 dated 05 February 2026, the accused was involved in the unauthorized transmission and distribution of copyrighted content, including JioStar channels, through a cable network and a dedicated application, without any licence or authorization.
Acting on the investigation, police conducted a raid on 24 April, leading to the arrest of the operator. During the operation, authorities seized key devices including a mobile phone and laptop, which were being used to facilitate the illegal streaming activity.
Preliminary findings indicate that the operator was part of a larger piracy network, having gained access to the application infrastructure through a third-party source and subsequently distributing services to end users. The operator is stated to have built a base of over 460 customers, including multiple local cable operators, and was offering access to pirated content through subscription-based models.
In addition to the Levyn app, police in their investigations identified the presence of a parallel application – Nexus Play, which is stated to have been developed under an entity named NEXT Technologies Private Limited, currently under examination by authorities.
The application is understood to operate through a multi-layered distribution model, involving intermediaries such as MSO distributors, local operators, and end users. This distribution network is reported to be active across parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with participation from internet service providers, including those associated with APSFL.
Investigative inputs suggest that the service was marketed to end subscribers as part of bundled internet offerings, typically priced in the range of ₹400 to ₹600. The application is also stated to have been distributed through both the Google Play Store and APK-based channels, with initial indicators suggesting measurable user adoption.
It is further being examined whether the application was promoted using credentials linked to individuals associated with a cable distribution business previously operating under the name M/s Preethi Cable Network in East Godavari district.
This development underscores the evolving nature of piracy networks, where local operators act as distribution nodes within larger organised ecosystems, and highlights ongoing enforcement efforts to disrupt such structures at multiple levels.
Law enforcement authorities are continuing to investigate these aspects as part of a broader effort to map the network and identify all entities involved.
