A 30-year-old resident named Siddesh Patel of Mumbai from Mira road was arrested on Wednesday for setting 3 kittens on fire by placing them inside a carton box. According to senior inspector looking into the incident, the accused burnt the kittens for “fun”.

The three kittens, which were rescued by Patel’s neighbour, are undergoing medical treatment and one among them is reportedly critical. They were the pets of the residents of the society – Ajmal Rama CHS, Bhakti Park, Mira Road, Mumbai.

Patel lives with his parents and is unemployed.

There are around 50 stray cats in the society premises. Most members are animal lovers and cats help control the rat menace said Fernandes (Patel’s neighbour).

When one of the residents found three kittens lying with severe burn injuries in the building lobby, he rushed them to nearest hospital. Upon checking CCTV footage, they were shocked to see Patel in the area around 2:30am lighting the carton in which the kittens lay asleep on fire. Fernandes also said that there was no sign of sympathy on his face while burning the cats and that Patel walked away after watching the cats burn.

The doctor said the kittens have suffered multiple injuries but are responding well to treatment.

Zara Merchant, an animal activist who was approached by the society, informed police and a complaint was registered. Patel had been charged under section 429 (mischief by killing or maiming cattle) of the Indian Penal Code and section 11 of Animals Protection Act, 1962. Patel has been released on bail. When he was questioned, he said that he did it for fun as he wanted to see the kittens burning”.