The ongoing tussle between ESPN Software and the Hinduja Group's cable arm InCable Network took a serious turn today after two affiliated cable operators, Jagdish Shah and Bimal Navsaria, of Sri Sai Vision Santa Cruz East, were arrested in the early hours of this morning for allegedly stealing ESPN and Star Sports signals.

"It had come to our notice that some cable networks affiliated to InCable were stealing the ESPN and STAR Sports signals. This is a criminal offence under the Copyrights Act and the Indian Penal Code. We greatly appreciate the action initiated by the Mumbai Police in curbing the piracy of our signals," an ESPN spokesperson said.

When contacted, Ashok Mansukhani, executive V-P, corporate services, Hinduja Group offered no comments, saying the matter was sub judice.

Earlier in the week, an InCable employee Shirish Khare, senior manager, IndusInd Media & Communication Ltd. of MIDC, Andheri East, Mumbai, was arrested by the Nasik Police after an offence was registered against him under section 51 and 63 of the Copyrights Act 1957 the for stealing of Star Sports signals, the spokesperson said. Even in Indore, the Court has issued bailable warrant against Capt. RS Ginwala, manager, InCable Network, when the prima facie evidence was found under Section 379 of IPC for theft of sports channels signals, and has directed the police to investigate further, he added.