In one of the largest crackdowns on book piracy in the National Capital, a joint operation involving Penguin Random House India, Simon & Schuster India, and Hay House, in coordination with the Delhi Police Crime Branch, led to the seizure of over 20,000 pirated books in Rohini, Delhi.

The nearly 24-hour-long raid targeted multiple warehouses and an illegal printing press, which authorities subsequently sealed. The operation exposed a well-organized piracy network allegedly run by repeat offender Jwala Prasad, who has been arrested. A formal case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Copyright Act.

According to officials, the syndicate was involved in the large-scale illegal printing, storage, and distribution of pirated books across the region. Among the confiscated material were unauthorized copies of bestselling works by prominent authors such as Daniel Kahneman, Arundhati Roy, Simon Sinek, Yuval Noah Harari, Haruki Murakami, and James Clear, highlighting the scale and sophistication of the operation.

Industry leaders emphasized that piracy continues to pose a serious threat to authors, publishers, and the broader creative ecosystem. Manoj Satti, Senior Vice President – Product, Sales & Marketing at Penguin Random House India, stated that piracy directly undermines the value of creative work and deprives creators of rightful earnings. He added that the operation demonstrates a strong commitment by publishers and enforcement agencies to dismantle such illegal networks.

Legal counsel Jyoti Taneja also underscored the importance of sustained enforcement, noting that organized piracy will be met with firm legal action and continued collaboration with authorities.

The raid is expected to significantly disrupt piracy supply chains in Delhi and serves as a strong deterrent against similar illegal activities. Publishers reiterated their commitment to protecting intellectual property through ongoing partnerships, legal action, and awareness initiatives.