Believe Music India officials named in ‘Ishqam’ royalty fraud case

Patiala police have named senior officials of Believe Music India and foreign music publishing executives as accused in an alleged royalty fraud case linked to the popular song “Ishqam”, an officer said on Friday.

The case was registered at the Civil Lines Police Station here following a complaint filed by Himansh Verma, proprietor of Navrattan Music, which owns the rights to the song. Verma has alleged that royalties amounting to several crores of rupees were illegally diverted through fraudulent means.

According to the police, the FIR has been lodged under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita as well as the Copyright Act, 1957. The charges include cheating, forgery of electronic records and other offences connected to the alleged misappropriation of royalty payments.

Officials said the investigation is at a preliminary stage and documents related to digital agreements, royalty statements and publishing arrangements are being examined. Further action will be taken based on the findings of the probe, police added.