Three youths arrested for keeping owls to practice black magic

Thane: Three youths were arrested by anti-extortion cell here for posessing a couple of rare breed owls for the purpose of black magic.

Three youths fromt he district PA Patil (24), Chendani (20) and S Misal (22), were arrested for keeping two great horned owls in their captivity, an official with anti-extortion cell of Thane police said.

Misal was practising black magic and vodoo and used to sacrifice owls for the purpose, he said. Other two accused were arrested for keeping owls in their posession, he said.

They were booked under Wildlife Preservation Act 1972, 1992 that prohibits handling and keeping wild birds in captivity, police said.

This species of owls is commonly found in India and Pakistan, said a forest official whom the police contacted for further action.