The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea challenging the Bombay High Court’s order banning pigeon feeding at Mumbai’s kabutarkhanas, citing public health concerns. The court said petitioners could seek modification from the High Court.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition challenging a Bombay High Court order that had directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to file FIRs against people feeding pigeons at “kabutarkhanas” (designated pigeon feeding spots) in Mumbai.
A bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi refused to interfere in the matter, observing that “parallel indulgence” was not proper.
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The court advised the petitioners that they were free to approach the Bombay High Court if they wanted any changes to the order, saying the petitioner could move the high court for the order’s modification.
The case came before the Supreme Court after animal lovers and others filed an appeal against the Bombay High Court’s earlier ruling.
The High Court had made it clear that the main issue was public health, noting it was a grave and potential health hazard for people of all ages.
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While the High Court had earlier restrained the BMC from demolishing old heritage kabutarkhanas in the city, it had refused to allow the feeding of pigeons there.
The court emphasised that the
“safety and predominance of human health from the menace created by the congregation of pigeons” was the biggest concern.
The petitioners, including Pallavi Patil, Sneha Visaria, and Savita Mahajan, alleged that despite this, the BMC had begun demolishing the feeding spots from July 3 onwards without proper legal authority.
They argued that such actions violated the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
The Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene effectively leaves the Bombay High Court’s directions in place, meaning that feeding pigeons at kabutarkhanas in Mumbai remains prohibited in the interest of public health.
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