In a major crackdown on organised educational piracy, the Delhi Police Crime Branch has dismantled a well-organised racket involved in the printing and distribution of counterfeit NCERT textbooks, arresting three persons and seizing nearly 45,000 fake books along with printing machinery and raw materials worth approximately ₹2 crore. Officials said the operation dealt a significant blow to an illegal network that was operating across multiple states and quietly undermining the country’s education system.

The action was carried out by the Anti-Robbery and Snatching Cell of the Crime Branch following specific intelligence inputs, and involved coordinated raids in Delhi and neighbouring Ghaziabad. According to police, a total of 44,862 counterfeit NCERT textbooks were recovered during the operation, alongside two offset printing-press machines, paper reels, aluminium printing plates and printing ink used to produce the pirated material.

The three arrested accused have been identified as Sumit, a resident of North Chhajjupur in Delhi’s Shahdara area; Vinod Jain, a resident of Preet Vihar; and Kanishq, a resident of Yamuna Vihar. Investigators said the trio played distinct roles in the racket, which included the storage, printing and large-scale distribution of fake NCERT textbooks in the market.

Officials described the network as highly organised and profit-driven, exploiting the heavy demand for NCERT textbooks across the country, particularly during the academic season. NCERT books are prescribed in most schools affiliated with the CBSE and are widely used by students preparing for competitive examinations, making them a lucrative target for counterfeiters.

The investigation began on November 10, 2025, when the Crime Branch received specific information about a godown in the Daryaganj area of central Delhi. The premises were allegedly being used to store and supply duplicate NCERT textbooks to retailers and distributors. Acting on the input, a Crime Branch team conducted a raid at the godown, accompanied by authorised legal representatives of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).

During the raid, police seized 12,755 counterfeit textbooks that closely resembled original NCERT publications in design and layout. Officials said the quality of the pirated books was good enough to deceive unsuspecting buyers, including students and parents, making detection difficult at the retail level.

Following the seizure, an FIR was registered at the Crime Branch police station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Copyright Act, 1957. Police said the case was later expanded as further evidence emerged during the investigation, leading to the invocation of additional sections of the BNS.

As the probe progressed, investigators focused on tracing the source of printing. Technical analysis, interrogation of suspects, and scrutiny of supply chains led the police to an illegal printing unit operating in Jawli village in Loni, Ghaziabad. On Friday, January 16, a Crime Branch team raided the facility, which was located near Ristal Road Puliya and was identified as a major hub for printing pirated NCERT textbooks.

During the Ghaziabad raid, police arrested Sumit, who was allegedly overseeing the printing operations at the factory. Officials said the unit was equipped with offset printing machines and stocked with large quantities of paper reels, printing ink and aluminium plates bearing NCERT textbook layouts. From the premises, police seized 32,107 counterfeit textbooks along with raw materials used in the printing process.

Investigators said the fake books printed at the Loni unit were supplied to other accused, including Jain and Kanishq, who were allegedly responsible for storage and distribution. The textbooks were then circulated through informal supply networks and sold in wholesale markets, often at prices lower than genuine NCERT books, making them attractive to retailers looking to maximise margins.

Police officials said that Vinod Jain had previously been involved in a similar case related to counterfeit NCERT textbooks, indicating a pattern of repeat offending. The other two accused, Sumit and Kanishq, were found to have no prior criminal records, though investigators believe they played key operational roles in the racket.

“The accused were part of a well-coordinated network that handled printing, storage and supply separately to avoid detection,” a senior police officer said. “The scale of the operation suggests that the counterfeit books were being distributed not just in Delhi-NCR but also to other states.”

The seizure of nearly 45,000 fake textbooks highlights the magnitude of the problem, officials said. Counterfeit educational material not only violates intellectual property laws but also raises serious concerns about content accuracy, print quality and student safety. Poor-quality paper and ink can affect readability and durability, while errors in content can mislead students and disrupt learning.

NCERT officials have repeatedly warned against the circulation of pirated textbooks, noting that such practices harm both students and the public education system. NCERT books are produced at subsidised rates to ensure affordability and uniformity in education. Piracy undercuts this objective while diverting revenue away from legitimate channels.

Delhi Police said the crackdown was part of a broader effort to curb organised piracy and protect intellectual property rights, particularly in sectors that have a direct impact on public welfare. “Education is a critical sector, and such rackets strike at its very foundation,” an official said. “Strict action will continue against those involved in organised counterfeiting.”

Further investigation is currently underway to identify other members of the network, trace the nationwide supply chain, and determine the financial gains made through the illegal trade. Police are examining bank transactions, transport routes and links with book distributors to map the full extent of the operation.

Officials also indicated that more arrests are likely as the investigation progresses. The Crime Branch is working closely with NCERT and other agencies to strengthen monitoring mechanisms and prevent the circulation of fake textbooks in the future.

The case has once again drawn attention to the persistent problem of textbook piracy in India, particularly during periods of high demand such as the start of the academic year. Authorities have urged parents, students and retailers to purchase books only from authorised sellers and to report suspected counterfeit material to the police or NCERT.

With the busting of this racket, Delhi Police say they have sent a strong message to organised piracy networks that exploit students and undermine the education system for profit. Whether this operation leads to a sustained dent in the counterfeit textbook trade will depend on how effectively the remaining links in the chain are identified and dismantled in the weeks ahead.