Dadar Kabutarkhana protest: Over hundred booked for violating prohibitory orders, trying to remove BMC cover

MUMBAI: Dadar Police last week booked more than 100 persons for allegedly violating prohibitory orders and attempting to damage a bamboo and tarpaulin cover placed over Kabutarkhana at Bhavani Shankar Road, Dadar (West).Police have invoked sections related to unlawful assembly, violation of prohibitory orders, and causing damage to public property. Based on video clips and eyewitness identification, the police have named seven individuals—Bandish Shah (32), Jyoti Kosambi (45), Nilesh Tewadia (55), Rekha Jain (40), Vidyut Bhawarlal Jain (30), Bina Jain (52), and Harish Jain (50)—along with 100 to 125 unidentified others as participants in the protest.According to the complaint filed by Police Constable Sachin Dinkar Shiratode, posted at Dadar Police Station, the incident occurred on August 6, around 10 am, when a crowd of 100–150 people, including 40–50 women, gathered at the kabutarkhana despite restrictions imposed by the Commissioner of Police. The group raised slogans opposing the closure of the pigeon house, tried to forcibly remove the bamboo and tarpaulin covering installed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), and allegedly caused damage to the structure.The BMC had earlier closed the pigeon house following health concerns arising from droppings and feathers, a decision challenged in the Bombay High Court through two writ petitions. The court directed the civic body to maintain cleanliness at the site.