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.