The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s decision to shut pigeon-feeding spots over public health concerns has now led to what is being described as a first-of-its-kind conviction in the country.
A Mumbai court has fined a Dadar-based trader for feeding pigeons in a public place despite a ban imposed by the civic body and upheld by the Bombay High Court.
The civic body had ordered the closure of the popular pigeon-feeding area in Dadar, along with action at other locations across the city, citing health risks posed by pigeons to residents. The move had triggered protests, with several people taking to the streets in opposition. However, the Bombay High Court refused to grant any relief and upheld the ban on feeding pigeons in public places.
Despite this, some individuals continued to visit the Dadar area to scatter grains for pigeons. Among them was Nitin Sheth, a trader residing in the locality. Police registered a case against him after receiving complaints that he was feeding pigeons in a prohibited public area. During the proceedings, Sheth admitted to the offence.
Police told the court that the accused had continued to feed pigeons even after the ban was in force, thereby endangering public health. Following due legal process, the case was brought before the court.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate B.Y. Misal delivered the verdict on Monday, holding the trader guilty under Section 223(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The court observed that the act posed a risk to public health, life and safety.
The accused was also charged under Section 271 of the BNS for spreading conditions harmful to health and was fined accordingly.
In its order, the court noted that this was the first time such a punishment had been awarded in the country for feeding pigeons in violation of a public ban. The judgment stated that the conviction should serve as a deterrent and send a clear message that such actions should not be repeated in the future.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had earlier imposed a complete ban on feeding pigeons in public places. The issue had also come up before the Bombay High Court in August, when the court upheld the civic body’s decision, keeping the restriction firmly in place in the interest of public health.
