New Delhi, Aug 12 — A total of 863 animals and birds were rescued following a joint raid conducted by Delhi Police's Central District along with People For Animals (PFA), World Wide Animal and officials of Delhi's Forest and Wildlife Department, officials said on Wednesday.
An official statement said that on August 9, credible information was received by the PFA regarding the alleged illegal sale, possession and unlawful confinement of protected birds and animals in pet shops operating in Kabootar Market at the national capital's Jama Masjid area. After coming to know about it, police passed on the information to World Wide Animal and officials of the Forest & Wildlife Department, Delhi.
Acting promptly on the information, a joint raid was conducted by the staff of Jama Masjid Police Station, Central District Police, in coordination with People For Animals (PFA), World Wide Animal and officials of the Forest & Wildlife Department, Delhi.
During the joint operation, five pet shops were systematically inspected in Kabootar Market.
Subsequently, a total of 863 birds and animals were recovered, including 431 of protected/scheduled birds.
Apart from birds, 18 Guinea Pigs, nine Grey Squirrels, 41 White Mice and 11 Rabbits were also rescued.
Further, investigators said that the birds and animals were found confined in cages, many of which were overcrowded and maintained in unhygienic conditions. The species falling under the animal-cruelty category were rescued by People For Animals (PFA) in accordance with the law.
The recovered birds and animals were examined, identified and segregated with the assistance of the concerned wildlife and animal welfare organisations. Protected/scheduled birds were seized by the concerned wildlife authorities, while other birds and animals requiring rescue from cruel and improper conditions were taken into appropriate care as per law.
The operation was conducted by a dedicated police team of Police Station Jama Masjid, comprising Sub Inspector Bijender, W/SI Saloni and Head Constable Vinod, under the supervision of the SHO, Police Station Jama Masjid, and overall supervision of ACP Daryaganj.
The team conducted a systematic inspection of the pet shops and coordinated the seizure and rescue proceedings with World Wide Animal, People For Animals (PFA) and the Forest & Wildlife Department, Delhi.
On the complaint of an activist associated with People For Animals (PFA) and Member, Advisory Board of the Newspaper Association of India, and based on the recoveries made during the joint raid, FIR No. 432/2026 dated 10.08.2026 was registered at Police Station Jama Masjid, Central District, Delhi.
The case has been registered under Sections 9/39/44/49/50/51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960; and Sections 325/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Officers said that five persons have been identified in connection with the case and bound over as per law. They are Iqbal Khan, Akash, Kani Ram, Mohd. Adil Khan and Rashid Khan. All of them are residents of Jama Masjid's Kabootar Market.
No previous involvement has been reported or verified against the five persons at this stage.
According to the police, the five individuals were questioned regarding the source, procurement, possession, sale and transportation of the recovered birds and animals.
During the investigation, their individual roles are being verified. Efforts are also being made to ascertain the complete supply chain, including the source from where protected birds or animals were procured, persons involved in their transportation, persons involved in sale and distribution, intended destinations of the recovered wildlife and the role of other pet shops and persons connected with the illegal trade.