Mumbai Man Convicted for Feeding Pigeons in Public After Bombay High Court Ban
Mumbai, 26th December 2025: In the first conviction under the Bombay High Court’s July ban on feeding pigeons in public spaces, a Bandra metropolitan magistrate court has found a 52-year-old businessman guilty of violating government orders and posing a risk to public health.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate V.U. Misal on December 22 convicted Nitin Sheth, a Dadar-based businessman, under sections 223(b) and 271 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. These sections pertain to disobeying a lawful order from a public servant and performing an act likely to spread an infectious disease dangerous to life. Sheth was fined Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 on the respective counts.
The case dates back to August 1, when police filed a complaint against Sheth for feeding pigeons near the kabutarkhana on L.J. Road, close to Hinduja Hospital.
Addressing the accused, the magistrate said, “Your actions have endangered human life, health, and safety, and violated government orders, constituting an offence.”
He further added, “You unlawfully or negligently carried out an act which you knew, or had reason to believe, could spread an infection of any disease dangerous to life.”
This marks the first legal action following the high court’s ruling, which aims to curb the spread of diseases associated with pigeons and maintain public hygiene in the city.
