Maneka Gandhi gets kitten thieves arrested

MUMBAI: The Khar police arrested two sweepers on Tuesday for allegedly ‘stealing’ six new born kittens from outside their owner’s house in Khar (West). The owner

MUMBAI: The Khar police arrested two sweepers on Tuesday for allegedly ‘stealing’ six new born kittens from outside their owner’s house in Khar (West). The owner had sent an email to Union minister for women and child development Maneka Gandhi, who responded within 12 hours. After the complainant reached Khar police station, the minister called up to ensure prompt action is taken against the thieves. The kittens, however, have not been recovered.

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According to the Khar police, on August 6, around 10.30am, the owner Sulochana’s husband saw two sweepers trying to put the cats into a gunny bag. When he confronted them, the duo fled leaving behind the cats. Later, the owners realised the six kittens were missing. Sulochana’s daughter Tina said, “We called the police control room and within 15 minutes police visited us. I also wrote an email to Ms Gandhi who called up the police station. Both Ms Gandhi and the police acted promptly. We hope the kittens are found.”

When asked why the kittens would be stolen, Tina replied, “A neighbour seems to have a problem. We have learnt that the accused were promised some money to get rid of the kittens.”

The Khar police have booked the sweepers Shiva Chandaliya, 35, and Baljeet Chandaliya, 40, both residents of Bandra, under IPC section 379 amounting to theft.

Their lawyer Ankit Mota said, “My clients have been made scapegoats. The issue was between the two neighbours.” The accused were granted bail by the magistrate’s court, but neither had surety nor Rs15,000 each for the cash bail and were therefore remanded in judicial custody.