The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to lodge FIRs against persons “illegally” and in “defiant” manner feeding pigeons at Dadar (West) and other kabootarkhanas (feeding areas) despite the policy prohibiting the same and HC refusing interim relief for feeding in its earlier orders.The court remarked that if they “don’t want to follow the rule of law, then the law should catch up with them.”The court referred to a news report along with photographs of Dadar Kabootarkhana area produced before it and observed that the photographs were quite telling and the matter was of immediate concern.“Despite clear directives which are sought to be implemented very rigorously, and court refusing to grant any stay on such directives of the BMC, it appears to be rampant that the feeding of pigeons at these prohibited places has continued unabated,” the HC observed.“In fact, measures were taken by the BMC to cover these areas so that the pigeons would adapt themselves to the natural surroundings and no feeding would then be possible if being defeated in every possible manner is the sad reality,” the bench added.A division bench of Justices Girish S Kulkarni and Arif S Doctor was hearing writ petitions filed by animal rights activists and Trustees of Dadar Kabootarkhana Trust against BMC’s action. On July 24, the HC had sought from an expert doctor and BMC further medical material on health hazards and had posted the hearing after two weeks.However, after perusing a newspaper report along with a photograph of pigeon feathers spread across Dadar Kabootarkhana vicinity causing problems to passersby and those living in the neighbourhood , the HC listed the matter for hearing on Wednesday.Advocates Praful Shah and Harish Pandya for the petitioners claimed that their clients were not indulging into any feeding activities after BMC’s closure and can file an undertaking stating the same.Story continues below this adThe HC said it will ascertain during next hearing claims of the entire Dadar Kabootarkhana area being a heritage structure and continued interim order of not demolishing heritage kabootarkhanas.The bench said “concern today was of paramount public health and the menace of the congregation of pigeons at Kabootarkhana,” which was continued due to persons ‘illegally’ feeding pigeons.“We direct municipal machinery to maintain hygiene, cleanliness at these Kabootarkhanas so that there is no nuisance to public at large,” the HC notedAdvocate Rupali Adhate for BMC submitted that non-cognisable complaint (NC) was registered with Dadar police station under section 221 of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) for obstructing a public servant in the discharge of their public functions.Story continues below this adThe bench permitted BMC’s designated officers to lodge prosecutions/ criminal complaints against errant persons who in “defiant” manner continue to feed pigeons against earlier order at Dadar and other areas for offences of breach of public policy, public nuisance and spread of infection and diseases dangerous to human life under BNS.“It is very serious. Passersby have to hold handkerchiefs (at Dadar). The (errant) persons can be traced, located based on photographs and video. There should be serious prosecution and arrest too. They think they can get away with this…if they don’t want to follow the rule of law. law should catch up with them,” the bench orally remarked.The court also directed BMC to implement strict measures and immediately install specialised CCTV cameras to capture activities such as people throwing grains in such areas and deput beat marshals/officers at such sites.The court further said that BMC can cover Kabootarkhana areas with appropriate nets and other materials to prevent congregation of pigeons and allow them to “naturally survive like other birds in Mumbai.”Story continues below this adThe court also asked local police stations to provide protection for BMC officers discharging their duties and personnel be deployed in shifts for the entire day.Posting further hearing to August 7, the HC warned, “Any breach of aforesaid directions will also amount to breach of present orders and will invite contempt of court action.”