Man Held with Barn Owls in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: One person who caught Barn owls from Srisailam forest and sold it in the city was nabbed by the Hyderabad Commissioner’s Task Force sleuths along with Forest department officials on Wednesday. A total of 15 owls were rescued.

The man Kamran Ali Farooq (22) of Teegalkunta in Falaknuma, runs a bird shop at Mahboob chowk in Hussainalam.

“Kamran travelled to Srisailam forest area and caught Barn Owls from the forest and nearby villages. After bringing them to the city, he sold it to people for a price between Rs 10,000 and Rs 1 lakh each,” said G Chakravarthy, Additional DCP, Task Force.

The police said people bought the owls due to various superstitions.

Brief Facts: –

The accused Kamran Ali Farooqhi @ Imran Ali is a Bird Seller since 05 years at Murgi Chowk, Hussaini Alam. He acquires different types of birds and animals for selling to the needy customers from known persons. Daily he used to travel Srishylam forest remote areas and surrounding villages. He targets the dilapidated water tanks where the owls used to stay. In the early morning hours he climbs the water tanks and catches barn owls. He used to sell the owls to needy customers as it makes huge demand in the market, each owl sold to a price ranging from 10,000/- to 100,000/-. There is a superstitious belief like rotating the owl around the human body may leads to good luck.

Today on credible information Commissioner’s Task Force, South Zone, Hyderabad City apprehended the above accused who found in possession of Barn Owls at Guddi Ka Dawakhana, Teegala Kunta, Falaknuma, Hyderabad.

The accused along with rescued birds i.e Barn Owls (15) Nos handed over to the Forest Department for further investigation.

The above arrests were made under the supervision of Sri. S Raghavendra, Inspector of Police, South Zone and SIs S/Sri N. Srishylam, Mohd Thakiuddin, K. Chandra Mohan, V. Narender & Staff of South Zone Task Force, Hyderabad City along with Forest Department of Hyderabad.

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