Mumbai: Police book two for feeding pigeons, one for selling bird food

Bharat Sharma with his wife at the spot in Lokhandwala where he feeds pigeons

In view of the spread of bird flu across the country, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has put up banners outside all kabutar khanas in the city asking people not to feed pigeons, but some continue to do so. The Amboli police have booked two people for feeding pigeons in the Lokhandwala area of Andheri West. Another case has been registered against the owner of a grocery shop in the same area, as he was found selling pigeon food. The culprits have been identified as Bharat Sharma, a film director and Lokhandwala resident; Jethalal Chadwa, who runs a shop in the same area and grocery shop owner Ratan Chadwa, who was found selling pigeon food.

Grocery shop owner Ratan Chadwa and his son Kewal outside their store

‘Don't feed pigeons'
The notice put up by the BMC outside kabutar khanas mentions, "Pigeons spread Hyper Sensitive Pneumonia disease (HP). Due to bird flu, there are high chances of this disease spreading, hence, people should stop feeding pigeons and other birds. A fungus that grows in bird droppings and soil causes HP disease. Due to this reason don't feed pigeons in open places. If anyone is found feeding pigeons, he/she will be fined Rs 500." Speaking to mid-day, Sharma said, "I have been feeding about 5,000 pigeons here since the last 15 years and suddenly the BMC puts up notices. Pigeons don't spread any disease and this was the place where the kabutar khana was located. The BMC demolished it a couple of months back after residents of the neighbouring Runwal society complained."

"I regularly feed pigeons hence the BMC is taking action against me. But I will continue feeding them without the fear of arrest," Sharma further said. In March last year, the Amboli police had filed a similar case against grocery shop owner Chadwa and his son Kewal Chadwa for allegedly selling pigeon food.

‘BMC harassing us'
Speaking to mid-day Ratan said, "The BMC is regularly harassing me and my son for selling pigeon food. Sale of such food is allowed and I have a licence for it. In March last year residents of Runwal society gathered at my shop and threw all the grocery items on the road. I had filed a complaint against them but the police did not register an FIR."

Ratan's son Kewal said, "Suddenly in March last year BMC officials and cops arrived at the shop one day and said they would arrest me for selling pigeon food. They said that we were spreading disease in the city and encouraging people to do the same."

Assistant Police Inspector Sohan Peche of Amboli police station said, "The BMC health department approached us after receiving complaints from the Runwal society at Lokhandwala Complex. Based on BMC's complaint, we registered a case against two people for feeding pigeons. We have booked them under section 269 and 270 (whoever unlawfully or negligently does any act which he knows or has reason to believe to be, likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life), 34 (acts done by several person in furtherance of common intention) of IPC and sections of the Maharashtra Police Act."

‘People creating nuisance'
Assistant Commissioner of BMC, Vishwas Mote said, "We registered a case as people are creating nuisance on the road and spreading disease. Anybody found feeding birds in the open will be booked. We don't want to take any risk."

When contacted, Mitesh Jain, honorary District Animal Welfare officer said, "We have informed the Animal Welfare Board of India to get all the banners removed from Mumbai. Even last year, the BMC had put up these banners but after a request letter was given to them, they were removed. Police should dismiss the case against the feeders and shopkeepers, who have been wrongly booked. Feeding pigeons is not hazardous to health and these banners have been put up in violation of the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act 1960."