Three FIRs Registered by Mumbai Police in Crackdown Against Illegal Use of Horses Following Intervention by PETA India and Smt Maneka Gandhi
In progress for animal protection efforts, Mumbai police have registered three first information reports (FIRs) in separate cases in recent weeks involving the illegal use of horses—one against a horse-drawn carriage operator caught violating a Bombay High Court ban in Gamdevi, and two against organisers of unlawful horse races at Gorai beach. The actions follow interventions by PETA India and Smt Maneka Gandhi, former union cabinet minister.
After receiving a video from a vigilant citizen of a horse-drawn carriage operating illegally, PETA India sprang into action. Acting on the PETA India’s complaint, the Gamdevi police registered a first information report (FIR) on 31 May against the driver and the possible owner. The operation of such carriages has been expressly prohibited by the Hon’ble Bombay High Court in its order dated 8 June 2015 in Animals and Birds Charitable Trust vs. MCGM and Others (PIL No. 36 of 2011). PETA India is an intervenor in the said case. The horse carriage was spotted being pulled on N S Patkar Marg in Gamdevi.
The FIR was registered under Sections 3 and 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The police are currently working to locate the owner and the horse involved. Once found, the horse will be seized in accordance with the provisions of the law and the directions of the Hon’ble Bombay High Court in PIL 36 of 2011. This action was followed by an FIR registered by the Colaba police against the driver and owner of another illegally operating horse-drawn carriage earlier in May.
In a separate incident, on 31 May, the Gorai police registered an FIR against individuals involved in illegally racing horses at Gorai beach on 27 May, following swift intervention by Smt Maneka Gandhi and PETA India. The FIR was filed under Section 11 of the PCA Act, 1960, and Section 291 of the BNS, 2023, for cruelty to animals and negligent conduct endangering the public.
Earlier in April, the Gorai police registered an FIR after illegal horse races were conducted at Gorai beach on 20 March despite explicit permission being granted only for bullock cart races by the District Collector, Mumbai Suburban. The event organizers ignored the guidelines issued by the District Collector and unlawfully included horse cart races. Following intervention by PETA India, they were booked under Section 3 of the PCA Act, 1960, and Section 223 of the BNS, 2023.
PETA India commends the efforts of Mumbai Police, particularly Gamdevi police station, and Mumbai Police Commissioner, Shri Deven Bharti, IPS in directing Gorai police station to strictly implement the directions of the Hon’ble Bombay High Court and sending a clear message that illegal use of horses for racing or hauling carriages will not be tolerated. PETA India urges the Mumbai Police to continue to act against any illegal use of horse carriages in the city and urge the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to also take swift action to prevent the illegal keeping of horses in Mumbai in unlicensed stables.
In its complaint, PETA India highlighted that the Hon’ble Bombay High Court, in its judgment dated 8 June 2015, not only prohibited the use of horse-drawn Victoria carriages for rides within Mumbai but also declared the keeping of horses in the city illegal, citing the absence of licensed stables under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) Act, 1888. As a result, the Court directed the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) to shut down all such facilities and instructed the Mumbai Police to enforce the ban and take appropriate action against violators.
In July 2017, the High Court accepted the rehabilitation plan submitted by the Maharashtra government for horse-drawn carriage owners and drivers, allowing horses to be removed from Mumbai roads and drivers to receive a payment and/or a vendor licence, thus ensuring their livelihood. PETA India sent a letter in May 2018 urging the then Chief Secretary of Maharashtra to implement this plan immediately by ensuring that the BMC receives the necessary funds, as approved by the state government. Numerous horse carriage drivers also gradually switched to heritage-style motorised e-carriages.
