The anti-piracy cell of Kerala Police, which is probing the piracy of hit Malayalam film 'Premam', tonight directed the Censor Board to produce its copy of the film by tomorrow afternoon.
Officials in the Anti Piracy cell of Kerala police said the Board had been given notice two days ago to submit the copy as early as possible.
Though they refused at first, the board officials later agreed to hand it over with some conditions, they said.
Anti Piracy cell officials said this cannot be allowed as the copy was 'material evidence' in the case.
The officials visited the censor board office here today and have asked them to hand over the copy by noon tomorrow otherwise they would be forced to take action, the officials said.
So far three teenagers, aged 15-19 and hailing from Kollam who had uploaded the pirated CD on the internet have been arrested. Several persons involved in the making of the film have been questioned.
The probe in the case began after the film's producer, Anwar Rasheed filed an email complaint when pirated versions appeared on the internet, eating into the revenues of the film, which was running into packed houses until then.
Yesterday, the Anti-Piracy cell officials recorded the statement of director Alphonse Puthren from Kochi.
The issue also had its echo in the assembly yesterday with Home minister Ramesh Chennithala stating that the state government had decided to strengthen the anti piracy cell to crack down on the illegal distribution of movies on print, videos and electronic files in the internet and social media.
