Chembur Cat Killings: Man Confesses to Mutilating Nearly 20 Strays in Fit of Rage, Investigation Underway
A 40-year-old man, Shiva Keshav Joshi, has been arrested for allegedly killing and mutilating nearly 20 stray cats in Mumbai's Chembur area. He reportedly confessed to the killings during interrogation, while PETA India had offered a reward for information in the case.
A 40-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly killing and mutilating nearly 20 stray cats in Chembur's Panjrapole area, weeks after the discovery of multiple carcasses had prompted police to register a case against unidentified accused. The man, identified as Shiva Keshav Joshi, a resident of Panvel in neighbouring Raigad district, was traced and arrested after police reviewed CCTV footage from the surrounding areas.
Accused Confesses To Killing Cats 'In A Fit Of Rage'
Police said Joshi confessed during interrogation to killing the cats in a fit of rage, though investigators are still working to establish his exact motive. Chembur Cat Killings: FIR Registered After Nearly 20 Cats Found Dead; PETA India Offers INR 50,000 Reward.
How The Case Came To Light
Local animal caregiver Rubeena Pathan had discovered several mutilated cat carcasses in the area over a period of time, including six on a single day, September 4, with the animals found with their internal organs exposed, TOI reported. The following morning, Pathan found another dead cat along with a kitten in severe distress. She and representatives of PETA India subsequently approached RCF police, leading to an FIR being registered on September 9 under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Section 325 of the BNS deals with killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering an animal useless, and carries a punishment of up to five years in prison, a fine, or both. Mumbai Man Found Guilty of Killing Cat With Screwdriver, Fined Rs 9,150.
PETA India had announced a reward of up to INR 50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the killings. Further investigation into the case is underway.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 13, 2026 02:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
