The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday dismissed legal proceedings against a Bengaluru resident accused of abducting his neighbour’s pet cat, Daisy. The court criticized the police for being drawn into what it termed a “frivolous and whimsical” pursuit of justice.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna, while hearing the plea, remarked, “Cat named Daisy drove everyone crazy,” expressing dismay at the criminal process being misused for a personal dispute.
The case began when Nikitha Anjana Iyer filed a complaint on February 1, 2022, alleging that her neighbour, Taha Husain, had wrongfully confined her cat. She said the cat’s absence caused her deep emotional distress, as she viewed Daisy like her own child.
Following an investigation, police submitted a chargesheet, dropping animal cruelty sections but retaining charges of intentional insult and criminal intimidation. Taha, however, challenged the FIR, submitting CCTV footage showing Daisy freely moving between homes and never being confined.
Nikitha failed to appear before the High Court. Justice Nagaprasanna further noted that the chargesheet introduced new and unsubstantiated allegations, including verbal and sexual misconduct, not part of the initial complaint.
Condemning the case, the judge said such misuse of the law amounts to “personal vendettas masquerading as criminal cases.” He added, “The criminal justice system cannot be reduced to a theatre for melodrama involving a cat.”
The court emphasized that law must not be treated as a plaything and warned police against indulging in such unmerited investigations.
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