In Mumbai, a city of dreams and disparities, it’s not unusual to find people rushing past the voiceless — stray animals lying hungry on street corners, ignored by thousands. But what is unusual, and deeply unsettling, is what happened last week in Govandi. A woman who chose not to look away, who chose to feed and care — now finds herself harassed, threatened, and criminalized.
This is the story of Afrin Shaikh and her family — residents of Shivaji Nagar, who have been feeding stray cats for the past eight years. Their only “crime”? Compassion.
Acid, Poison, and Police Threats — All for Feeding a Cat
On July 4th, Afrin’s neighbor, Rihana Khan, allegedly threw acid on one of the stray cats that Afrin’s family fed daily. That cat hasn’t returned home since.
This wasn’t a one-off incident. According to Afrin, there have been repeated instances of rat poison in food, physical abuse, and now direct threats — including saying she’d send local goons from Sultanpuri if the family complained.
And when Afrin stood up to it?
The abuser filed a false police complaint.
The family was raided at 1:30 AM.
Her father was taken away to the police station.
Even after showing CCTV footage, the police reportedly told the family not to feed strays publicly. Instead of justice, they were warned.
This Isn’t a One-Off — It’s Part of a Disturbing Trend
Across Mumbai, between 300–350 animal cruelty offences are recorded each year .
Nationally, 338 animal cruelty cases are currently pending in courts—some unresolved for over five years
These numbers matter because when strict action isn’t taken, cruelty becomes easy. Why hesitate to commit such crimes when the system offers little deterrence? This case is yet another entry in a growing cycle of brutality and silence.
A Family Already Carrying Too Much
To compound matters, Afrin’s mother is recovering from uterus surgery. Despite her vulnerability, she still feeds the strays because if not them, who will? This is not public nuisance; it’s a basic act of humanity, criminalised instead of protected.
Setting the Record Straight
Feeding strays is not illegal. Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, harming animals is punishable but feeding them is lawful. The Bombay High Court has upheld the right to feed strays, so long as no obstruction is caused.
Yet feeders continue to be harassed by neighbours, and shockingly, at times by law enforcement.
What Kind of Mumbai Are We Building?
This isn’t just Afrin’s saga. It’s the struggle of hundreds of Mumbai’s silent caregivers, risking ridicule, threats, and police harassment at the cost of routine food and water for strays.
Are we creating a city where cruelty gets a free pass, and compassion is punished?
At Mumbai Today, we stand with Afrin Shaikh and every person who cares when no one else does. We demand:
Prompt, fair investigation into this incident
Strict action against threats and cruelty
Legal and civic protection for feeders across Mumbai
Because feeding a hungry animal should never end in a police case.
When compassion becomes a crime, every one of us loses a little of our humanity.
Incident reported by: Afrin Shaikh
Resident, Shivaji Nagar, Govandi
Story brought in by: Zainab Qureshi Reporter, Mumbai Today
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