India, Feb. 21 -- The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has instructed the Maharashtra Animal Welfare Board to establish a committee to investigate the case involving over 300 cats being kept in a 3BHK flat at Marvel Bounty Society in Hadapsar, said the officials on Thursday.

The directives were issued by AWBI on February 18, following a complaint from the flat owner, Rinku Bharadwaj, who alleged undue pain inflicted on community cats and harassment by the society's managing committee and residents.

The committee will include the chief veterinary officer or their representative, a representative from the jurisdictional police, and a representative from the district SPCA or the state board and ensure a comprehensive approach to animal...