Thane: Six booked over cremating pet cat on pyre of MBMC-run crematorium in Bhayandar

Thane: Six people have been booked on charges of cremating a pet cat on the pyre of Mira Bhayandar muncipal Corporation (MBMC)- run Hindu crematorium in Bhayandar. 

The accused persons comprised of the two pet owners, three conservationists who are employed by the trash management company on a contract basis, and one more person hired for the Tree. None of the accused persons have been arrested. 

The incident took place at the crematorium located in the Ambedkar Nagar area of Bhayandar (west) between 5 am to 8 am on December 22. However, the FIR was registered on Wednesday (3 January) post a complaint filed by MBMC's sanitation officer Arvind Chalke. 

The FIR was filed under the charges; section 297 (trespassing on burial places,with the intent of wounding the feelings of any person or of insulting the religion of any person) of the IPC.

The complaint was supported by photographic evidence, prompting the police to immediately lodge a FIR against the suspects.

There is still not a single crematorium or burial cemetery for pets in the twin cities, despite the growing number of pet owners and stray animals. “Although there is a lack of the much needed facility, such an act which offended religious sentiments of any community cannot be justified.” said a member of a local social organisation. While no arrests have been made so far, the Bhayandar police are conducting further investigations in the case.