HC issues notice to NGO Blue Cross on petition by horse owner

A man whose horse was 'impounded' two years ago got some relief today after the Madras High Court issued notice to NGO Blue Cross of India on his petition, seeking return of the animal.
Petitioner M Arumugam in his plea sought a direction to Blue Cross of India here to return his seized horse on the basis of an FIR registered by police in March 4, 2014.
Arumugam, engaged in conducting last rites and funerals, submitted that he had lost many of his close relatives and he was advised to perform periodical poojas to the family deity Karuppasamy, whose 'vahana' or vehicle is a black horse.

He then bought one for Rs 5,500 and was rearing it. However, he found it missing one day. When he went to the police station he was told it had been 'impounded' following a complaint from Mahendra Kumar of People for Cattle of India, an NGO.
An FIR was registered on March 4, 2014.
As "advised" by police, he paid a fine of Rs 50, hoping that the animal would be returned to him.
But it was handed over to Blue Cross India. As his representations to the authorities, including the Mayor and Chief Minister's cell did not yield any result for years together, he filed the present petition, he said.

The court then ordered notice to Blue Cross, returnable byNovember 14.