MUMBAI: An FIR was registered at the V P Road police station against the members of Madhavbag Trust, Gaushala, after social worker Mahesh Kumar Jhajharia accused them of treating cows callously and irresponsibly. This action was prompted by the Girgaon additional chief metropolitan magistrate who looked into the appeal filed by the social worker. This is the first time in the recent past that a social worker has lodged a private complaint with the court to protest against cruelty to animals.

"The allegations are serious and so I sent the complaint to the police station for probe. The investigating officer is directed to register an FIR and submit the report before June 28. If immediate arrest is not required, then the investigating officer may issue notices to all the accused," the court observed.

Stating that he has been a regular visit to the C P Tank Road office to look after the cows, Jhajharia said he had witnessed callous, negligent and commercial attitude of the trustees towards the animals. He complained to the trustees that the cows were being beaten up but no action was taken against such cruelty. . He was reportedly left with no option but to knock on the doors of the judiciary. Jhajharia claimed the trustees stopped him and other devotees from feeding cows. "The cows were kept in unhygienic condition," he said.

Jhajharia has urged the court to book the trustees under section 492 (mischief by killing a cattle), 506 (criminal intimidation) and provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act.

Denying the allegations, Madhavbag trustee Krishnakant V Chitalia said there was absolutely no cruelty to animals. "We have not received the copy of the complaint or the order of the court. Once we receive it, we will respond to the allegations," Chitalia said.