{
  "id": 10005517,
  "title": "Mumbai Bird Rescue Case: Court Grants Interim Custody Of 282 Surviving Birds To Raigad Animal Trust After Train Transport Horror",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/mumbai-bird-rescue-case-court-grants-interim-custody-of-282-surviving",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-26T14:13:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-bird-rescue-case-court-grants-interim-custody-of-282-surviving-birds-to-raigad-animal-trust-after-train-transport-horror"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On the night of September 8, 2023, the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) issued an interim order, granting custody of 282 surviving birds to the Kalote Animal Trust. The birds were rescued after an alleged incident of illegal and cruel transportation by train from Howrah to Mumbai.\n\nThe birds, comprising budgerigars, finches, and cockatiels, were discovered in overcrowded cages within the parcel compartment of the Geetanjali Express (12860). Upon arrival at CSMT (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus) around midnight, animal rights organization PETA India reported the distressing situation.\n\nAround 2,100 birds had been transported for over 32 hours in deplorable conditions, lacking proper ventilation and care. After receiving a complaint from PETA India, authorities from the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) intercepted the consignment at CSMT. Initially, the birds were released to the consignees, who operated a pet shop in Kurla.\n\nHowever, following the intervention of senior police officials, an FIR was registered by the CSMT Railway Police. Further action led to the recovery of 337 birds from the Kurla shop, of which 55 tragically succumbed to the ordeal while under hospice care. Post-mortem examinations were conducted on the deceased birds.\n\nThe case was subsequently brought to the 35th JMFC Court, where the accused's plea to return the birds was denied, and interim custody of the surviving birds was granted to the Kalote Animal Trust. The trust, based in Raigad district, is an animal sanctuary. PETA India has also sought the recovery of the remaining unaccounted birds and has filed a representation with the Deputy Commissioner of Police for expedited action.\n\nSaloni Sakaria, Associate Manager for Cruelty Response at PETA India, emphasized the plight of these birds, stating, \"Birds are highly intelligent, social animals who belong in the open skies, not confined to cramped cages and transported like cargo.\" The case has drawn attention to the alarming conditions endured by birds during transportation for the pet trade, with welfare groups highlighting issues such as overcrowding, poor ventilation, and prolonged confinement.",
  "summary": "Mumbai: The Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), 35th Court, CSMT, has granted interim custody of 282 surviving birds to Kalote Animal Trust after a case involving the alleged illegal and cruel transportation of hundreds of birds from Howrah to Mumbai by train. Birds Found In Overcrowded Cages The birds, including budgerigars, finches and cockatiels, were found packed into seven cages in the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}