Overview

• The High Court declared pigeon feeding at kabootar khanas a public nuisance that poses respiratory and sanitation hazards linked to infections and infrastructure damage.
• Justices Kulkarni and Doctor reprimanded the BMC for relying on media reports and delaying enforcement of its July directives to close 51 heritage feeding sites.
• The bench authorized the BMC to register FIRs under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against individuals obstructing civic officers or spreading infection.
• Petitions by animal rights activists secured a stay on the demolition of heritage kabootar khanas but did not protect feeders from prosecution.
• The court set a compliance hearing for August 7 to review the BMC’s progress on prosecutions and preventive measures citywide.