Bombay HC Closes Contempt Case Against Kandivali Society In Stray Dog Feeding Row, Orders Removal Of 'Bouncer' Security

Mumbai: Bringing temporary relief to a long-standing dispute over stray dog feeding in a Kandivali housing society, the Bombay High Court has closed contempt proceedings against RNA Royal Park Cooperative Housing Society after it agreed to remove two women employed as “special security personnel”, accused of being deployed as bouncers to intimidate a resident.

The resident, Paromita Puthran, had approached the court alleging that the society was in contempt of earlier High Court orders — March 27, March 28, and April 24, 2023 — which had explicitly barred the use of bouncers to target her or other residents feeding community dogs.

In her petition, she claimed that despite the orders, the society continued to engage two women, formerly working as bouncers, under new designations as “special security personnel.”

The court noted that appointment letters had indeed been issued to the two women, Manisha Rohan Sen and Nazia Filavi Khan, on December 24, 2024. “In fact there is no change of the duties, as they are stated to be discharging duties as bouncers,” the court observed.

Society’s advocate informed the bench that the society was willing to remove the two personnel to settle the issue. “Such stand… is a correct stand considering the clear position taken by the society and as recorded in the orders passed by this Court,” a bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Arif Doctor remarked on June 10, while declining to initiate further contempt action.

The court was also informed that the State Government had superseded the society’s managing committee in February 2025 and appointed Hanumant Pawar as administrator. He was directed to issue an order within two days discontinuing the services of the two individuals.

Acknowledging ongoing issues over feeding and watering of dogs, the bench also directed the administrator to form a five-member committee, including Puthran and two dog lovers, to amicably resolve such disputes.

“Water bowls provided for the dogs shall not be removed,” the court added. The court concluded by stating that parties are free to initiate proceedings in case of future breaches.