Pune cops asked to replyto cat seizure allegation

Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Thursday directed the Pune police to respond to the allegations of a Pune resident that they had illegally entered her house in September last year and seized the 56 pet cats she had kept in the house. The court has also asked the Pune police to respond to the allegations that they had carried out seizures on two consecutive days and during the action some gold and other valuables had also been stolen.

A division bench of justices B.R. Gavai and B.P. Colabawalla was hearing a writ petition filed by Kondwa resident Sangeeta Kapur seeking a writ of mandamus against police personnel who had forcefully entered her house on September 11 and 12 for illegal entry and seizure of her pets. Ms Kapur through advocate Madhavi Tavanandi and Harshad Garud had also prayed for interim directions to the police and animal welfare authorities to return the cats who she has not seen since they were seized from her house.

While making submissions, Ms Tavanandi informed the court that Ms Kapur had two flats and had been keeping stray cats that she had rescued over time.

The police had also  registered a case against Ms Kapur under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act for neglecting them as a result of which they lived in unhygienic conditions.

The court has asked the police to file their repliy within three weeks.