Pune Police Crackdown on Duplicate Apple Product Sellers in Tapkir Galli
In a recent development, the Pune City Police have taken action against the sale of duplicate Apple products in Tapkir Galli, Budhwar Peth. Five mobile shops were raided, leading to the seizure of duplicate Apple items worth Rs 4,80,400. The police took this step based on a complaint from Grifin Intellectual Property Services Pvt Ltd, a company authorized by Apple Inc to combat the sale of counterfeit Apple products.
Counterfeit Apple Products Uncovered
The police action was prompted by a complaint from Grifin Intellectual Property Services Pvt Ltd, a company entrusted with the authority to safeguard Apple’s intellectual property rights. The company’s representative reported the sale of duplicate Apple products, including AirPods, mobile covers, adaptors, chargers, and USB cables, in Tapkir Galli. These counterfeit items bore the company’s logo and design, misleading consumers into believing they were genuine Apple products.
Swift Police Action
In response to the complaint, the Pune City Police collaborated with the company’s representative to launch a raid on five mobile shops in Tapkir Galli. The shops targeted in the raid included Mobile Groff, Puneri Mobile Shop, Astha Mobile Shop, Kheteshwar Telecom Shop, and Shivam Mobile Shop. During the operation, the police meticulously inspected the products and successfully seized duplicate items amounting to a value of Rs 4.80 lakh.
Legal Proceedings Initiated
The police have taken decisive steps to address this issue of counterfeit products. A case has been registered at the Faraskhana Police Station against the owners of the five mobile shops involved. The accused individuals have been identified as Sumit Sunil Chavan, Otaram Manaram Prajapati, Vardharam Nupaji Prajapati, Bherusingh Arjunsingh Rajpurohit, and Govind Ganga Singh. The charges brought against them fall under sections 51 and 63 of The Copyright Act (1957), highlighting the serious nature of their offense.
Ongoing Investigation
The police are committed to conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. The case highlights the need for stringent measures to prevent the proliferation of counterfeit products that not only deceive consumers but also impact the reputation of well-established brands. As the legal process unfolds, it will serve as a deterrent to those involved in the production and sale of counterfeit goods.
