The Gurdaspur police have arrested a major supplier of illegal pet parrots who targeted the town’s elite, selling “speaking parrots” for Rs 4,000 and “non-speaking” ones for Rs 3,000.
The accused, Rajinder Singh, reportedly ran a thriving business, sourcing birds from various states to sell in Gurdaspur and its suburbs. His clientele allegedly included prominent local figures.
The arrest triggered a panic among local traders. Fearing imminent raids, pet shops across the city and neighbouring areas quickly downed their shutters. The ripple effect even reached Pathankot, located 35 km away.
Acting on an online complaint, animal welfare organisation People for Animals (PFA) and its Punjab-based activist, Sahil Sharma, flagged the operation. PFA Chairperson Maneka Gandhi contacted two senior Gurdaspur police officers regarding the violation. While the officers were initially reluctant to act without a formal complaint, Gandhi directed Sharma to file one immediately to initiate the rescue.
A preliminary raid on Singh’s city-centre shop yielded no incriminating evidence. However, under sustained interrogation, Singh confessed, leading police to his residence. On the first floor, the police discovered 34 rose-ringed parakeets hidden in a large cage.
An FIR was registered at the city police station under various sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The rescued birds were handed over to the Wildlife Department.