28 September,2026 03:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The court has now allowed 282 surviving birds to be cared for at Kalote Animal Trust, an animal sanctuary in Raigad. PIC/PETA
As many as 282 rescued birds will now be cared for at an animal sanctuary in Raigad after a court in Mumbai allowed their rehabilitation following a gruelling journey from Howrah to Mumbai. The birds, including budgerigars, finches and cockatiels, were among around 2,100 birds found crammed into seven cages aboard the Geetanjali Express.
The consignment was intercepted by the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) when the train arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) shortly after midnight on September 8. The birds had travelled for more than 32 hours in severely overcrowded cages, with little room to move and inadequate ventilation, care and supervision, according to officials.
An RPF report from the CSMT post said information was received on September 7 from Deputy Station Superintendent (Commercial), CSMT, regarding a complaint from PETA India alleging negligent and cruel transportation of small birds in the guard-side SLR of Train No 12860, Geetanjali Express. "The train was subsequently attended at Platform 12, where SLR No SE 248831 was opened and seven cages containing small birds were found," RPF said.
The report said the seven cages were linked to four railway receipts. One cage measured 90 cm by 60 cm by 50 cm and weighed 30.8 kg, while another of the same dimensions weighed 37.3 kg. Three cages measured 96 cm by 60 cm by 50 cm and had a combined weight of 119.4 kg, while two more cages measured 90 cm by 60 cm by 50 cm. The seven cages were unloaded and brought to the Parcel Office.
The birds were initially released to the consignees despite concerns raised over the manner in which they had been transported. The consignment was reportedly linked to a pet shop in Kurla. The RPF report said that when PETA India staff at the Parcel Office raised the complaint, they were taken before a GRP Inspector, who was apprised of the facts.
The inspector said a written application from PETA India had already been received and that the complaint was under inquiry.
The report further stated that, as the GRP Inspector was present at the CSMT Parcel Office, the seven parcels were handed over to the consignee in his presence. The consignment was reportedly linked to a pet shop in Kurla.
Following escalation of the matter to senior police officials, the CSMT Railway Police registered a case and later raided the Kurla pet shop. Police seized 337 birds, which were examined by a government veterinarian and placed in hospice care.
Fifty-five of the rescued birds later died while in hospice care. Post-mortems were conducted on the birds, according to the details submitted before the court.
The remaining birds were at the centre of proceedings before the JMFC 35th Court at CSMT, which was approached seeking arrangements for their continued care.
The court has now allowed 282 surviving birds to be cared for at Kalote Animal Trust, an animal sanctuary in Raigad. The order was passed after the court considered provisions under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Care and Maintenance of Case Property Animals) Rules, 2017.
Applications by the accused seeking the return of the birds were rejected, allowing the rescued birds to remain under the care of the sanctuary.
The whereabouts of the remaining birds from the original consignment are still being traced. A representation has been made to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central Zone, GRP Mumbai, seeking expedited efforts to locate and seize the missing birds.
The case was registered under Sections 62 and 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 11(1)(a), 11(1)(e), 11(1)(f) and 11(1)(k) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, prohibits the capture, caging and trading of indigenous birds, while the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act also prohibits keeping animals in cages that do not provide a reasonable opportunity for movement.
