Delhi Police Dismantles Major Counterfeit NCERT Textbook Operation
In a significant breakthrough against educational piracy, Delhi Police’s Crime Branch has successfully dismantled a sophisticated racket involved in the printing and distribution of fake NCERT textbooks. The operation, conducted on Saturday, resulted in the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of a substantial quantity of counterfeit materials and printing equipment.
Massive Seizure of Counterfeit Books and Equipment
The crackdown led to the recovery of approximately 45,000 pirated textbooks alongside printing machinery and materials valued at nearly ₹2 crore. According to officials, this was a well-orchestrated operation that had been functioning for an extended period, systematically undermining the integrity of educational resources across multiple states.
The Anti-Robbery and Snatching Cell (ARSC) of the Crime Branch spearheaded this operation, delivering what authorities described as a severe blow to an illegal enterprise that had been threatening the quality and authenticity of educational materials nationwide.
Raids Across Delhi and Ghaziabad
Coordinated raids conducted in Delhi and Ghaziabad resulted in the confiscation of 44,862 counterfeit NCERT textbooks in total. Law enforcement officials also seized two offset printing machines, paper rolls, printing ink, and aluminum printing plates—all essential components used in the production of these fraudulent copies.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Sumit (35), a resident of Chhajjupur in Shahdara; Vinod Jain (65), from Preet Vihar; and Kanishk (32), who resides in Yamuna Vihar. Police confirmed that all three individuals were actively involved in different aspects of the counterfeit operation, including storage, printing, and distribution of the fake textbooks.
Intelligence-Led Operation
The investigation was triggered by specific intelligence received on November 10, 2025, which indicated that a warehouse in Daryaganj was allegedly being utilized for storing and supplying counterfeit NCERT publications. Acting on this information, a specialized team from the Crime Branch, accompanied by authorized legal representatives from the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), conducted a raid on the facility.
During this initial operation, authorities seized 12,755 fake textbooks and subsequently registered a First Information Report (FIR) under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Copyright Act of 1957 at the Crime Branch police station.
Illegal Printing Unit Exposed
Following the initial discovery, investigators continued their probe to trace the source of the counterfeit books. This led them to an illegal printing facility located in Jawli village, Loni district, Ghaziabad. On Friday the 16th, a raid on this establishment resulted in the apprehension of Sumit, who was allegedly operating the printing unit.
The factory, situated near Ristal Road in Pulia, was identified as a primary production hub for the counterfeit textbooks. These fake copies were reportedly being supplied to other members of the network for further distribution. The raid at this location yielded an additional 32,107 counterfeit textbooks along with raw materials used in the printing process.
Prior Offenses and Ongoing Investigation
Police investigations revealed that Jain had previous involvement in a similar case related to fake NCERT books. The other two arrested individuals, however, had no prior criminal record, suggesting they may have been recruited specifically for this operation.
Authorities have indicated that the investigation remains ongoing, with efforts focused on uncovering the complete extent of the network, tracing the nationwide supply chain, and apprehending other individuals connected to this racket. Police officials emphasized their continued commitment to taking strict action against organized piracy, underscoring the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and preserving the integrity of the education system.
The successful dismantling of this operation represents a significant victory in the ongoing battle against educational content piracy, which has long been a concern for authorities due to its potential to compromise the quality of learning materials available to students across the country.
