New Delhi – In a major crackdown on academic piracy, Delhi Police have busted a large-scale operation involving fake NCERT books in Delhi, arresting two individuals and seizing counterfeit textbooks valued at over ₹2.4 crore. The operation, which took place on Monday, resulted in the confiscation of more than 170,000 pirated educational materials.
Father-Son Duo Arrested in Academic Piracy Operation
The Delhi Police arrested a father-son duo from their shop on Mandoli Road for their involvement in producing and distributing fake NCERT books in Delhi. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Prashant Priya Gautam stated that the operation was initiated following a tip-off received on May 16 regarding the sale of counterfeit educational materials at a shop in the MS Park police station area.
“The police, joined by officials from NCERT including assistant production officer Prakashveer Singh, conducted a raid on Anupam Sales, located in Ram Nagar on Mandoli Road,” Gautam explained. “The raiding team discovered stacks of counterfeit NCERT textbooks, predominantly Class 12 social science books, bearing forged signatures and fake authentication marks to deceive buyers.”
The shop’s operators, Prashant Gupta (48) and his son Nishant Gupta (26), were taken into custody at the scene. Authorities have filed a case under Section 318 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 63 and 65 of the Copyright Act, 1957 at MS Park police station.
Investigation Reveals Extensive Network
During interrogation, authorities discovered that the Guptas had been running their shop for decades, with Nishant joining the family business five years ago. According to DCP Gautam, motivated by profit, the duo began sourcing fake NCERT books in Delhi from a warehouse located in Hiranki near Alipur in north Delhi, selling them as legitimate educational material.
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“Following the lead, a second raid was conducted at a property in Shiv Enclave, located in the Kashmiri Colony of the Hiranki area,” the DCP stated. “The premises, rented by the accused, yielded approximately 160,000 additional pirated textbooks. These were all confirmed to be counterfeit by NCERT officials.”
The property was traced to one Arvind Kumar (35), a resident of Sonipat in Haryana. The investigation revealed that the fake NCERT books in Delhi were designed to closely mimic official NCERT editions in layout, price markings, and barcode design—clearly intended to mislead students, parents, and educational institutions.
Massive Seizure Highlights Scale of Operation
The seizure of over 170,000 counterfeit textbooks marks one of the largest crackdowns on academic piracy in recent years. The counterfeit educational materials included various fake NCERT books in Delhi, with Class 12 social science books being particularly prevalent among the seized items.
Law enforcement officials expressed concern about the scale of the operation, noting that the production and distribution of fake NCERT books in Delhi not only violates copyright laws but also compromises the quality of education for thousands of students.
Sophisticated Counterfeiting Techniques
The investigation revealed that the counterfeiters had employed sophisticated techniques to produce fake NCERT books in Delhi that closely resembled genuine publications. The seized textbooks featured forged signatures, fake authentication marks, and replicated barcodes designed to pass off as official NCERT editions.
“This illegal operation not only undermines copyright laws but also compromises the quality of education for thousands of students,” Gautam emphasized. The attention to detail in producing these fake NCERT books in Delhi demonstrates the sophisticated nature of the counterfeiting operation and the challenges faced by authorities in combating such activities.
Ongoing Investigation to Uncover Full Scope
DCP Gautam stated that investigations are ongoing to uncover the full scope of the operation involving fake NCERT books in Delhi. “We are probing the supply chain, from illegal printing presses to distribution points. We are also examining whether systemic delays and shortages in NCERT’s official supply chain may have indirectly fostered the demand for pirated copies.”
The probe will extend to wholesale dealers, retailers, and educational institutions potentially involved—wittingly or otherwise—in the distribution of fake NCERT books in Delhi. Authorities are determined to dismantle the entire network responsible for producing and distributing counterfeit educational materials.
Impact on Education System
The prevalence of fake NCERT books in Delhi raises serious concerns about the integrity of educational materials available to students. Counterfeit textbooks often contain printing errors, missing content, or inaccurate information, which can negatively impact students’ learning and academic performance.
Education officials have emphasized the importance of purchasing textbooks from authorized dealers to ensure the quality and authenticity of educational materials. The widespread availability of fake NCERT books in Delhi underscores the need for increased vigilance from schools, parents, and students when acquiring educational resources.
Measures to Combat Academic Piracy
In response to the growing problem of fake NCERT books in Delhi, authorities are implementing measures to combat academic piracy. These include improving the supply chain for official NCERT publications, increasing awareness about how to identify counterfeit textbooks, and enhancing enforcement actions against those involved in producing and distributing pirated educational materials.
The arrest of the father-son duo and the seizure of counterfeit textbooks worth ₹2.4 crore represent a significant step in addressing the issue of fake NCERT books in Delhi. However, authorities acknowledge that continued efforts are needed to fully address the problem and ensure that students have access to authentic, high-quality educational materials.
Final Word
The bust of the counterfeit textbook racket highlights the persistent challenge of academic piracy in Delhi. As investigations continue, authorities remain committed to dismantling networks involved in producing and distributing fake NCERT books in Delhi, protecting the integrity of educational materials, and ensuring that students receive accurate and reliable information through authentic textbooks.
This incident underscores the need for stringent monitoring mechanisms and coordinated efforts between publishers, law enforcement, and educational institutions. It also raises concerns about the potential academic setbacks for students who unknowingly rely on incorrect or outdated content. Authorities are now exploring long-term strategies to curb this illegal practice and reinforce trust in the education system.
Public awareness campaigns, tighter surveillance at printing hubs, and digital verification tools for textbooks are also being considered to prevent future occurrences. Collaboration with technology firms and increased penalties for offenders are part of the broader plan to safeguard academic resources.
