Bengaluru: A Bengaluru resident has approached the Karnataka High Court seeking the return of his African grey parrot, which was seized by the CID Forest Mobile Squad. The petitioner, R. Mahesh Kumar, has claimed that he had been caring for the disabled bird for several years after taking responsibility for it because it could not fly.

Hearing the petition, Justice C.M. Poonacha issued notices to the Karnataka government and the concerned forest authorities, seeking their response. The matter has been posted for further hearing on November 3, 2026.

Petitioner says parrot was received from a friend

Mahesh Kumar, a resident of Rajajinagar in Bengaluru, stated in his petition that he received the African grey parrot, scientifically known as Psittacus erithacus, from a friend in 2018.

According to the petition, the bird had a disability affecting one of its wings and was unable to fly. Kumar claimed that he took responsibility for its care and arranged medical treatment because of its condition.

He has maintained that he kept the parrot out of affection and humanitarian concern, denying that he had purchased the bird or intended to sell it.

The petitioner has cited the bird’s disability and his years of caring for it as reasons for seeking its return.

CID Forest Mobile Squad seized bird in July

According to the petition, the CID Forest Mobile Squad seized the parrot on July 27, 2026. The authorities subsequently issued a notice asking Kumar to explain the circumstances under which he had possession of the bird.

A notice dated July 31 reportedly directed him to cooperate with the investigation, produce relevant documents and ensure that evidence connected with the case was not destroyed.

The notice also cautioned that non-compliance could invite action under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

Kumar has challenged the notice, seeking its cancellation and an order directing the authorities to return the parrot.

High Court seeks response from State authorities

Justice C.M. Poonacha issued notices to the State Chief Secretary, the Principal Secretary of the Forest Department and the CID Forest Mobile Squad.

The government counsel was asked to obtain information from the respondents and place it before the court. The matter is scheduled to come up again on November 3.

The court has not yet ruled on the petitioner’s request to recover the bird. Its decision will follow consideration of the submissions and responses from the government and the concerned authorities.

African grey parrots and wildlife regulations

African grey parrots are recognised for their intelligence and ability to imitate human speech. The species is native to parts of Africa and is subject to international trade restrictions under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The legal questions surrounding the Bengaluru case will depend on the applicable wildlife regulations, the circumstances in which the bird was obtained and the authorities’ grounds for seizing it.

While Kumar has argued that his possession of the parrot was motivated by concern for its welfare, the court has yet to determine the legal merits of his claims