Couple Held With 20 Persian Cats at Brajarajnagar

Brajarajnagar: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) on Monday detained a couple at Brajarajnagar Railway Station for allegedly transporting 20 Persian cats without valid documents aboard the Mumbai–Santragachi train.

RPF officials rescued three adult cats and 17 kittens that were being carried in nine baskets. The accused, identified as Amin Sayeed and his wife, were reportedly travelling from Mumbai to Santragachi in West Bengal.

The matter came to light after the couple got into an altercation with fellow passengers. During intervention, RPF personnel discovered the concealed cats. When asked to produce valid tickets for the animals, the couple failed to comply. A fine of ₹35,000 was imposed by the TTE, which the duo did not pay, leading to their detention.

As Persian cats are not covered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, the forest department refused to take custody. Sources said the rescued cats will be handed over to an animal welfare organisation for care.