Mumbai police arrest 2 owners of horses used in Congress protest rally for cruelty

The Kherwadi police have arrested two horse owners for allegedly treating their animals, which were part of the Congress’ protest rally on Thursday, cruelly.

The rally, to protest the steep rise in fuel prices, was held on Thursday afternoon on the southbound stretch of Western Express Highway, near Teachers Colony in Bandra (east). Party workers were taking photographs with the horses, which were used to make a point that it had become unaffordable to drive vehicles.

According to the Kherwadi police, the owners were seen kicking the two animals. “Then a photo session started. It was very hot out there, but the animals were made to work in the scorching sun, which amounts to cruelty,” said a police official, requesting anonymity, who was on bandobast duty at the spot.

The accused have been identified as Gajral Jaiswal,49, and Nate Jaiswal,45, both residents of Khar Danda.

“The duo has been booked under section 3 (duties of persons in charge of animals) and 11 (treating animals cruelly) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960,” confirmed Rajendra Patil, senior police inspector of Kherwadi police station.

A First Information Report was also registered against protesting Congress workers, for unlawful assembly and wrongful restraint for blocking traffic.